By Journal Sports Staff

ASHLAND, Ohio — The Northern Michigan University men’s soccer team posted its fourth straight shutout while extending its unbeaten streak to seven games with a 1-0 victory at Ashland on Friday evening.

The game’s only goal came in the 29th minute when sophomore forward Ben Hoffman scored on a header after sophomore midfielder Luca Lippert sent the ball into the box for his third assist of the season. Junior midfielder Callum Olpin also was credited with an assist as Hoffman got his third goal in the past three games.

The Wildcats (6-1-1, 3-0-1 GLIAC) and Ashland (1-6-1, 0-4) couldn’t find an offensive rhythm early as the first shot on goal didn’t occur until the 18th minute.

The second half was much the same way as each team had just one shot on goal as NMU extended its opponents’ scoreless streak to 402 minutes, 41 seconds.

Freshman goalkeeper Valentin Kliebe got his fifth straight start and moved to 4-0-1 Friday. He has accounted for 338:27 of the Wildcats’ current shutout streak and leads the league in a number of goalkeeper categories. He has allowed a GLIAC-low one goal this season, while his .958 save percentage and 0.22 goals against average are both the best in the conference.

The Wildcats will end their three-match road trip at 2:30 p.m. Sunday when they stop at to Saginaw Valley State on their way north to come home. The Cardinals defeated Northwood on Friday evening and have won three in a row.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.