The Purdue Northwest Men's Soccer team earned a statement victory Sunday afternoon, taking down No. 21 Northern Michigan, 1-0, in GLIAC action at Pepsi Field. Ricardo Cruz (Kankakee, Ill./Kankakee) delivered the game-winning goal in the second half as the Lions secured a shutout victory over the nationally ranked Wildcats.
The Basics
- Records: Purdue Northwest (7-3-2, 4-3-1 GLIAC), Northern Michigan (7-4-2, 4-2-2 GLIAC)
- Location: Pepsi Field – Hammond, Ind.
- Attendance: 100
Inside the Numbers
- Junior Ricardo Cruz (Kankakee, Ill./Kankakee) scored the game-winning goal in the 63rd minute, finishing a play assisted by sophomore Landon Potts (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) and senior Aloe Berassa (Miranda de Ebro, Spain/).
- Berassa recorded three shots, all on goal, while Potts added two shots and an assist.
- Freshman Estefano Alvear (Guayaquil, Ecuador/Unidad Educativa Monte Tabor Nazaret) played all 90 minutes in goal, making five saves to record the shutout.
- The Lions finished with 11 shots, including six on goal, compared to Northern Michigan's seven shots and five on target.
- Northern Michigan's Asaf Kristal played all 90 minutes in net for the Wildcats and made five saves.
- Both teams recorded four corner kicks, while the Lions finished with 15 fouls to Northern Michigan's 13.
The Breakdown
- The Lions and Wildcats battled through a scoreless first half, with PNW generating eight shots and Northern Michigan putting four attempts toward goal. Both defenses held firm to keep the match level at halftime.
- Purdue Northwest broke through in the 63rd minute. Potts and Berassa combined to set up Cruz, who found the back of the net at 62:26 to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage.
- With the lead in hand, PNW focused on protecting its advantage against the nationally ranked Wildcats. Alvear came up with five saves throughout the match, helping keep Northern Michigan off the scoreboard.
- The Lions' defensive effort held strong through the final whistle, preserving the 1-0 result and delivering a significant GLIAC victory over No. 21 Northern Michigan.
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