UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer got back in the win column with a 3-2 victory over Northern Michigan Friday afternoon. The Cardinals took three separate one-goal leads with the final and game-winning goal in the 82nd minute.
The scoring opened up in the first half for SVSU as Mzo Mthembu netted his second of the season in the 17th minute. Alex Demorow got a pass through to create a one-on-one with the goalkeeper for Mthembu who chipped it over the keeper on the right side. Northern Michigan tied it up 20 minutes later with a header in the box from Noah Johnson.
At the half, it was 1-1, with the shot advantage 6-4 in favor of the Wildcats. Northern would double that advantage in the second half outshooting SVSU 8-6 for a total of 14-10. However, the Cardinals would take a 2-1 lead early as Elliot Nottoli scored his first of the season just over a minute into the second half. A through pass from Demorrow to the far side wing setup Mthembu for a cross into the box. Nottoli landed a bicycle kick to his right and beat the keeper low right to break the tie. Demorrow added his second assist of the game.
The action back and forth continued as NMU pushed to tie it back up. After a near miss on a free kick, the Wildcats got their chance. A foul in the box on SVSU gave NMU a penalty kick and Cian Tunney knotted the game at 2-2 in the 76th minute.
The game was tied, but momentum shifted towards Saginaw Valley as they put the pressure on to regain the lead. Just six minutes later, a pass from Anthony Waller was tipped by the head of Felix Tom to Jason Squeo. Squeo took a step into the ball and let a shot go low left. The Wildcat goalkeeper dove to his right, but couldn't get a hand on the ball as it rolled into the net and gave SVSU a 3-2 lead.
The physicality picked up as Northern tried to tie the game, but back-to-back yellow cards became a red card and the Wildcats had to play down a man. Unable to push back, Saginaw Valley captured the win. Connor Beach earned the win stopping three of the five shots on goal and Mthembu led the team offensively with three shots and three points.
Men's soccer is back in action on Sunday as they host St. Cloud State. Kickoff is set for 11:00 AM with Senior Day festivities starting 15 minutes before.
