KENOSHA, Wis. — The Parkside men's soccer team held on to defeated No. 21 Northern Michigan 2-0 on Friday afternoon, handing the Wildcats their first conference loss of the year and giving the Rangers a ranked win for a second consecutive season.
The Rangers were outshot 15-11 but put more attempts on frame, finishing with seven shots on goal to Northern Mich.'s five and surpassing their season average of six.
Keven Sosa and
Angel Luevano supplied the scoring for the Rangers, with
Hudson Scheiber assisting Luevano's goal.
The Rangers took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Sosa converted a penalty kick at 24:34. After an NMU hand ball in its own box, Sosa stepped up to the dot and struck a ball into the top left corner just out of the reach of a diving 'Cats keeper in Asaf Kristal. The goal would proved to be the eventual game-winner. The Wildcats recorded six shots and two corner kicks in the half, while Pass made one save as the teams combined for 22 fouls in a physical half.
The Rangers scored the second half's only goal at 73:46.
Hudson Scheiber scrambled around three defenders outside the left side of the box and found Luevano, who let one loose from well outside and tucked it into the bottom left corner for the dagger. Northern Michigan generated nine second-half shots and two corners, but Pass made four saves as the Rangers closed out the 2-0 result.
Sosa scored the match-winning goal, finished with two shots on goal and converted his penalty kick attempt. Sosa now leads the team with five goals this year and is 2-for-2 on penalty tries. Luevano added a goal and tied for the team lead with three shots. Scheiber recorded an assist for the Rangers and now leads the team with three assists. Pass made five saves in 90 minutes and finished with his second consecutive shutout and fifth of the year.
The Rangers are now 5-6-1 overall and 3-4-1 in GLIAC play. Northern Michigan is 7-3-2 overall and 4-1-2 in conference play. The Rangers handed NMU its first loss in over a month. Parkside's last win over a ranked opponent came Oct. 12 last year against then-No. 17 Saginaw Valley State.
Up next, the Rangers travel to University Center, Mich., to face Saginaw Valley State on Friday, Oct. 16, at noon.
To keep up with the Rangers, be sure to visit
parksiderangers.com/coverage.
