North Michigan News

Northern Michigan University athletics teams had a busy weekend, competing in several sports from October 23 to October 26.

The football team faced Michigan Tech for the Miner's Cup and lost 56-17. Northern trailed at halftime but had multiple opportunities to close the gap after three trips to the red zone resulted in only three points. Michigan Tech scored five touchdowns in the second half, including scores from a punt return and a fumble recovery. NMU finished with 270 rushing yards, while Michigan Tech nearly matched that with 269 yards on the ground and also outgained NMU through the air.

In hockey, NMU played two games against top-ranked Michigan State. On Friday, they were shut out 4-0 by goaltender Trey Augustine, who made 24 saves. Porter Martone led MSU with a goal and an assist. The Wildcats failed to score on six power play attempts. Saturday’s game was closer until the third period when MSU pulled away for a 6-2 win. Caiden Gault scored both goals for NMU, tying the game before MSU took control late in the final period. The match saw significant penalties, totaling over 50 minutes between both teams.

The volleyball team split its matches over the weekend. They defeated Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in five sets after leading early but being pushed to a decisive fifth set by GVSU’s comeback efforts. The Wildcats closed out with three straight points for the win. On Saturday, they lost another five-set match against Wayne State University despite holding two match points late in front of their home crowd at Vandament Arena.

In cross country, NMU finished second out of eleven teams at the GLIAC Championship—their best result since 2017—with four runners earning All-GLIAC honors.

Men’s soccer ended their match at Parkside in a scoreless draw amid cold and windy conditions but secured a 3-0 victory against St. Cloud State later in the week. Luca Rosen scored twice and Asaf Kristal recorded his seventh shutout of the season as goalkeeper.

Women’s soccer suffered a 3-0 loss to No.5 Grand Valley but managed a draw against Ferris State after goals from Addison Frantti and Madison Bilbia.

The men’s swim and dive team won meets against Saginaw Valley (125-118) and Findlay (120-112), but lost to Grand Valley State (63-178). Notable performances included Andrew Tease winning gold in breaststroke events and Matteo Ballardin securing first-place finishes as well as podium spots for other swimmers.

The women’s swim and dive team beat Findlay (139-98) and Saginaw Valley (132-108), then fell to Grand Valley State (104-138). The diving squad swept podiums on Friday, while Kalina Ceglinski won both diving events against Grand Valley.

Northern Michigan's Greco-Roman wrestling program marked a milestone at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia: Payton Jacobson won bronze at 87 kg—the program's first-ever U23 World medal—and Otto Black added another bronze at 67 kg; Max Black finished fifth at 60 kg. Kaden Ercanbrack and Kenneth Crosby also competed for Team USA.