MARQUETTE, Mich. — Northern Michigan defeated Roosevelt 2-1 on Friday, securing a crucial regional victory behind two first-half strikes. The Wildcats improved to 6-4-5 with the win, extending their winning streak to two matches, while Roosevelt fell to 9-3-4 despite dominating possession throughout the contest.
Alessandro Scialanga opened scoring for Northern Michigan in the 39th minute off a free kick opportunity. Ian Weimer doubled the lead in the 48th minute, assisted by Luca Rosen, giving the hosts a commanding 2-0 advantage early in the second half. Roosevelt's Oskar Schuster answered with a goal in the 61st minute, assisted by Fynn Mewes, but the Lakers could not find an equalizer despite sustained pressure.
Roosevelt controlled the match statistically, recording 10 shots on goal compared to Northern Michigan's five. The Lakers also earned seven corner kicks to the Wildcats' three, reflecting their territorial advantage. However, Northern Michigan's goalkeeper made nine saves to preserve the victory, while Roosevelt's keeper recorded three stops.
The match turned dramatically in the 42nd minute when Roosevelt defender Nikola Dimitrijevic received a straight red card, forcing the Lakers to play the final 48 minutes with 10 men. This numerical disadvantage significantly impacted Roosevelt's ability to sustain offensive pressure despite their superior shot volume.
Northern Michigan's defense weathered late-game attacks from the depleted Roosevelt side, which managed 16 total shot attempts. The Wildcats' disciplined approach limited clear-cut chances despite the Lakers' numerical