Great Lakes Wire

A scoreless game after the first 45 minutes of play, both teams scored two goals in the final frame as the Wildcats secured a comeback draw against nationally ranked Lewis University.

Northern was unable to convert on its chances in a dominant opening half, and Lewis opened the scoring with two of its own to start the second half, giving the 2023 final four Flyers a 2-0 lead with just over 30 minutes remaining.

NMU remained persistent and scored two of its own to complete the comeback and earn a draw, with career-first goals coming from freshman William Uchenna and sophomore Davian Gumbs.

The Wildcats remain undefeated and move to 2-0-1 on the season. The Flyers fail to find their first win of the season, moving to 0-2-1.

William Uchenna and Davian Gumbs scored their first career goals with the Green and Gold. Alessandro Scialanga picked up an assist on the Gumbs goal, giving him two helpers in the last two games. Nils Cedergren made his third straight start, making two saves. The 'Cats outshot the Flyers 18-8, including nine on target to Lewis' four. This now marks two straight draws for the sides in their previous meetings, a 2-2 result today and a 0-0 result in Romeoville last season.

It was a first half that was dominated by the 'Cats amassing eight total shots with three on-goal. Two of those shots were quality looks from inside the box that just barely went Lewis' way.

Tuen Van Gansewinkel had the best look of the evening coming just over 10 minutes in, as he sent a trickling shot towards the left post that the Lewis keeper was just able to stretch and make the save.

Following sustained pressure and possession from the 'Cats, Ale Scialanga lined up for a free kick in the final two minutes of the half. His right-swinging ball landed at Luca Rub's feet, who jumped and made a spinning back-heel kick that found its way on goal but was sent right into the keeper's arms.

All four goals were scored in the second half, starting with two from the Flyers at four and eleven minutes into it, giving NMU a 0-2 deficit within fifteen minutes of game time.

But NMU stayed persistent and clawed back, starting with an effort by Tomasso Lami to drive into the box and draw a penalty kick. Lami took his own shot from there; although stopped by Lewis' keeper, freshman William Uchenna cleaned up on rebound cutting into Flyer lead with under thirty-five minutes left.

The Wildcats then struck from set piece eight minutes before end tying game again: Alessandro Scialanga hit right curling corner kick finding foot Davian Gumbs who made no mistake tying match dying moments it ended levelled scoreline (two each).

The Wildcats finish their weekend home stand with bout against Thomas More Saturday noon.

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