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Kick off everyone’s season: NMU men’s soccer ties D-I team in home exhibition Thursday

NMU men’s soccer ties D-I team in home exhibition Thursday

By Steve Brownlee 5 min read

MARQUETTE -- The first sporting event of the 2026-27 school year -- for everybody! -- was held on the campus of Northern Michigan University on Thursday afternoon.

And even though it was only considered an exhibition match, the Wildcats men's soccer team can feel satisfied playing to a 1-1 draw against NCAA Division I Wisconsin-Green Bay.

A raucous crowd, featuring members of various NMU athletic teams and local area residents, helped the team kick off competitive year.

"The support today was great," said Northern head coach Alex Fatovic, who enters his fifth season as head coach, in an NMU Sports Information news release about the game. "It shows that the program is growing in popularity around town, but there's something to watch now, and I think having the other sports back and having a real game like that is what college athletics is all about.

"It was great to have that atmosphere, and I think it's fantastic most of all for our new players to witness what it's like to play here. Huge props to all the student-athletes and community members who came out to support (us) today."

Senior Davian Gumbs, dubbed by Fatovic as "man of the match," was also effusive in his praise of local support.

"It's really nice to see people come out and support us," he said. "They get to see the lake (Superior) behind us and what a beautiful place and environment it is to play in. Being around everybody and hearing them push us forward really helps us get the results we're after."

These Wildcats just returned to campus on Sunday, with a tour of the lockerroom and new gear presented just four days before this game.

"It's a great environment here; it's the first week back, everyone is really excited, and coach has been describing (the beginning of the season) as 'Christmas in August,'" Gumbs said. "So getting all our new gear, seeing the locker room, everything like that motivates us to play for what we have."

Meanwhile, the Division I Phoenix had been on the field a week more than NMU and had played another exhibition against high-profile Notre Dame before visiting Marquette.

"The guys have been locked in right from the beginning and our leadership is doing what they need to do, so it really hasn't been difficult to get them motivated to where they need to be," Fatovic said about his NMU team. "We're building day by day; the standards are high here, and the new players have really fit in.

"Our newcomers have been what's making us tick. The returners have set the tempo, and there are a lot of them that are really talented, but it's the new group of players that are going to make the most impact.... Everyone that came in today did really well, so a very positive start for us."

NMU fell behind early after a free-kick goal in the first half, but seemed to gain momentum in the second half, thanks to a surge from a hundred members of the Northern football team cheering behind the Green Bay goal.

After hitting the crossbar in the first half, the Wildcats' Xhoel Lutaj found his mark and scored the equalizer after intermission.

Both senior captains, forward Luca Rosen and goalkeeper Asaf Kristal, did not get on the pitch, while seven of the starting 11 featured freshmen, a first-year transfer, and a member of the team who saw limited playing time last season.

Fatovic rotated his young talent throughout.

"We had a little bit of a dip after the first 10 minutes where they needed to catch their second wind, but after that, it looked like they were in proper shape," the coach said. "We've had a couple of really good days of preseason ... and we were able to draw against a Green Bay team that's really solid.

"I was pleased with everyone's performances: newcomers, returners, and Davian Gumbs stuck out to me today."

These Wildcats have two more exhibition matches remaining before the regular season opens on Thursday, Aug. 27, in Midland against former GLIAC member Northwood.

Another home exhibition will be at noon Sunday against Schoolcraft College of the Detroit suburb of Livonia. The Ocelots are ranked No. 15 nationally in the National Junior College Athletic Association this preseason.

That game will also be a welcome to area residents, the SSA soccer club and MQT United team.

There's also a road exhibition at Division III Wisconsin-Superior at 3 p.m. EDT next Saturday.

The Northern women's soccer team also has three exhibitions, plus will play an intrasquad scrimmage immediately after the NMU men's game on Sunday.

The women's three exhibitions include one at home, at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, against Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point, before its regular season begins, also at home, at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, vs. St. Cloud State (Minnesota).

 

Story contents based on a Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the game. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee's email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.

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