Marquette, Mich. – Johannes Kappeler got his first career goal, but the University of Jamestown men's soccer team could not keep up with the Northern Michigan Wildcats as they suffered their second defeat of the season, 7-1, Saturday afternoon on the road.
"Nothing much to say about the game," said head coach Justin Gilbert. "Happy for Johannes getting a goal but we have lots of work to get done if we want to be successful in NCAA."
The Jimmies wrap up their four-game road trip with a record of 1-2-3. Northern Michigan is now 3-2-0 as they get ready to begin GLIAC play.
The Wildcats came ready to play, with Luca Rosen coming down with speed on the Jimmies end of the field and scoring the game's first goal just 2:26 into the game. Less than a minute later, Northern Michigan was on the fastbreak again with Rosen getting ahead of the defense and scoring again. The senior Rosen got a hat trick with another tally in the 10
th minute as the Jimmies were facing a deep hole down 3-0.
There were a few occasions in which Jamestown had some nice possession time, but they struggled to get space for shots once they got deep into the Northern Michigan end. After falling behind 3-0, the Jimmies had a free kick close to the goal, and a corner kick, but could not make anything of those opportunities.
With just 15 seconds left in the first half,
Johannes Kappeler had the ball around midfield and everyone on the Northern Michigan side looked at the ref for a moment after they believed there was a foul. Kappeler went around a few defenders, and by the time the Wildcats started playing again, it was too late as Kappeler had scored, beating Carson Shene low right. The play went to review, but the refs decided to count the goal and the Jimmies got to within two at the half.
Kappeler's tally was the only shot on goal on the period. The Wildcats posted 11 shots, four on target and three resulting in goals.
Rosen scored his fourth goal of the game in the 61
st minute.
Escher Paz had a point-blank look in the 62
nd minute off a deep throw in that was headed towards the net by
Joshua Jackson but goaltender Carson Shene made a stop on the ball.
Northern Michigan was not done either as they continued to pressure the Jimmies, scoring a few more times and winning the game 7-1 as the Jimmies could not end their road trip in success.
Paz had two shots on goal to lead Jamestown. The freshman Kappeler got his first-career goal in the loss.
Valon Ismaili stopped two shots.
Total shots on the day were 23 to the Wildcats and five for the Jimmies. Shots on net were 9-3. Both teams had five corner kicks.
UJ will look to rebound in their final home contest of the season next Saturday, September 19 against the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers on Senior Day at 3:00 p.m.
