This story was writen by NMU Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis.---The Northern Michigan University men's soccer team opened up its road trip with a clash against UW-Eau Claire, dropping the contest by a score of 1-0.

The Wildcats couldn't find its rhythm all evening, being outshot by double (24-12). The heartbreak came in the 88th minute when Eau Claire converted on a penalty kick to secure the 1-0 win.

The Wildcats fall to 2-6-1 overall, and the Blugolds improve to 7-1-2 in the 2023 campaign.

• Goalkeeper Bryce Beckley made his first start as a Wildcat, making seven saves

• Keegan Schmidt led the Wildcats with two shots on target, followed by Fernando Abascal and Triston Nelson with one

• Apart from the keeper, six Wildcats registered 90 minutes played, along with two recording 88 minutes

• As a team, the Wildcats were outshot 24-12, being outshot on target 8-4

• The Blugolds had six corners to the Wildcats' two

• Both teams recorded 10 fouls, and the Wildcats recorded five yellow cards to the Blugolds four

The Wildcats earned the first good opportunity from a set piece opportunity, as a corner kick was curled into the box and the 'Cats got a good header onto goal, but the keeper made the save.

Goalkeeper Bryce Beckley was tested 30 minutes into the half, as an Eau Claire forward broke in through the 18-yard box and got a quality look on goal, but Beckley was up for the test and made a superb save to keep the game scoreless.

Not five minutes later, Beckley made another spectacular save on a streaking attacker. Beckley came off his line to cut off the angle, sprawling to make a stretching stop.

Bryce Beckley was tested in the first two minutes of the second frame, coming up with another huge save from inside the 18-yard box to keep the game scoreless.

The Blugolds were awarded a penalty kick in the 88th minute, and Ethan Andersen stepped up to the spot and scored, making it 1-0 with two minutes remaining.

The Wildcats had a set-piece opportunity in the final minute, awarded a free kick in-line with the 18-yard box. A curling kick passed through the box untouched, and the Wildcats continued to press but were unable to find goal. The game would go on to end 0-1.

The Wildcats remain on the road, taking on GLIAC foe St. Cloud State on Sunday, October 1, at 1 p.m.