EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern men's soccer took the field Friday night for the first time in 467 days. Escaping an Evanston wind chill in the single digits, the 'Cats matched up with Michigan inside Ryan Fieldhouse and ultimately fell 4-1 to the Wolverines.
In just the fifth minute, first-year Joseph Arena found the back of the net for the Wildcats' first goal of the season and the first of his Northwestern career. Veteran midfielders Vicente Castro and Bardia Kimiavi were both credited with an assist on Arena's rapid-fire strike.
The early goal proved to be not enough, however, as a set of Michigan goals in the second half locked up the win for the Wolverines.
Arena wasn't the only new face on the field Friday night for Chicago's Big Ten Team. Fellow first-year Rom Brown also got the start in his collegiate debut, while redshirt first-year Deng Deng Kur and graduate transfer Spencer Farina made their first starts in the Purple and White.
Reliable goal keeper Miha Miskovic recorded four saves, while Northwestern fans also got a look at the rest of the keeper position in the second half. Graduate transfer Ethan Bandre saved one shot in 25:02 and sophomore saw the first minutes of his collegiate career in goal for the 'Cats.
Northwestern will continue its conference-only schedule next Tuesday as they go on the road to face Wisconsin in Madison. Kick-off time is to be announced.
In just the fifth minute, first-year Joseph Arena found the back of the net for the Wildcats' first goal of the season and the first of his Northwestern career. Veteran midfielders Vicente Castro and Bardia Kimiavi were both credited with an assist on Arena's rapid-fire strike.
The early goal proved to be not enough, however, as a set of Michigan goals in the second half locked up the win for the Wolverines.
Arena wasn't the only new face on the field Friday night for Chicago's Big Ten Team. Fellow first-year Rom Brown also got the start in his collegiate debut, while redshirt first-year Deng Deng Kur and graduate transfer Spencer Farina made their first starts in the Purple and White.
Reliable goal keeper Miha Miskovic recorded four saves, while Northwestern fans also got a look at the rest of the keeper position in the second half. Graduate transfer Ethan Bandre saved one shot in 25:02 and sophomore saw the first minutes of his collegiate career in goal for the 'Cats.
Northwestern will continue its conference-only schedule next Tuesday as they go on the road to face Wisconsin in Madison. Kick-off time is to be announced.