Box Score Parkside 1, Northwood 0
The Rangers avenged their lone conference loss on the year as they travelled to Midland, Mich. and got the 1-0 win over Northwood. Coming in to the game, both teams were listed in the United Soccer Coaches Midwest rankings with Parkside coming in at #9 and Northwood at #10. With the win, Parkside moves to 9-4-1 overall and 8-1-1 in the GLIAC.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Parkside wasted no time grabbing the lead when senior Leki Prpa scored his third goal of the year. The chance came after a Northwood foul that led to a Ranger free kick just outside the box. Junior Tode Atlija stepped up to take the free kick, and found Prpa to give Parkside the 1-0 lead. The teams battled, but the Ranger defense held strong. Highlighted by a first-career start from Freshmen goalkeeper David Milan, Parkside gave up only three shots on goal and maintained the 1-0 lead. It is the teams second straight shutout win, and fourth on the season.
 
HEAR FROM COACH ZITZKE
"Very gritty win, the first goal was off a free kick from Tode Atlija who drove it into the box Leki Prpa got a touch and flicked it past the goalkeeper," said head coach Jason Zitzke. "Their goalkeeper had an outstanding game, he probably saved two or three other sure goals, so hat's off to him."
 
"I'd also like to highlight our goalkeeper David Milan, who was filling in for Juan," Zitzke continued. "But he was calm under pressure and made a couple of huge punches. Our defense played confident in the back and responded well when Northwood kept coming at them. It was good to get out of here with a 1-0 win to a team that beat us earlier this year."
 
STATWORTHY
Prpa's goal is his third in the last seven games, and he has totaled eight points in the last five games. Atlija's assist is his second of the season. Aside from Prpa scoring, he also led the Rangers with four shots, with two on goal. Milan had his first start in a Ranger jersey, and had three saves in the game.
 
The teams were fairly even in terms of pressure on goal, with Parkside taking 12 shots with 6 on goal, while Northwood took 11 with three on goal. The two teams also each took five corners on the day.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Green & White will finish their lengthy road-trip at Saginaw Valley State this Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. Following, the team will return home to Wood Road Field to take on the Ashland Eagles on Friday, Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m.