MARQUETTE, Mich. — Parkside (8-6-2, 8-3-1 GLIAC) fell 1-0 to Northern Michigan (5-7-5, 5-6-2 GLIAC) on Sunday afternoon at the NMU Soccer Field, splitting its Upper Peninsula road trip and remaining in second place in the conference standings. The Wildcats, meanwhile, secured a key home win to strengthen their hold on fifth place in the GLIAC race.

Both teams traded possession in a quiet first half that saw few clear chances. Northern Michigan managed to test Parkside goalkeeper Tristen Cross with a pair of shots on frame, while the Rangers earned three first-half corners but couldn't capitalize. Parkside's best look came late in the half when Ava Rizzitano broke through down the right side and forced NMU keeper Jillian Thompson into a save at the near post.

The breakthrough came just over nine minutes into the second half. In the 55th minute, Northern Michigan's Kenna Alexander battled for a loose ball on the right side of the box amid a cluster of defenders. Sliding to the turf, Alexander managed to lift a shot into the top-left corner past a leaping Cross for her third goal of the season — the eventual game-winner.

Parkside pushed hard for an equalizer, generating 18 total shots to NMU's 10 and holding a 7-4 edge in corner kicks. Rizzitano led the Rangers with five shots, two of which were on goal, while Stephanie Salmeron and Grace Breuchel added multiple attempts. Schmidt and Kate Brown each recorded a shot on target, but Thompson stood tall, making six saves to preserve her shutout. Cross finished with six saves of her own, keeping Parkside within striking distance until the final whistle.

Despite the loss, the Rangers remain second in the GLIAC table as the regular season winds down. Parkside's four-match road trip concludes on Thursday, Nov. 6, at noon in Big Rapids against Ferris State — the Rangers' final road game of the regular season.

To keep up with the Rangers, be sure to visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.