Men's Soccer Earns 3-2 Win Over UofM-Dearborn To Open Season

AUBURN, MICH. – The Northwood University men's soccer team earned a 3-2 win over the University of Michigan-Dearborn for the 2015 season-opener on Friday (September 4).

After winning the 2014 GLIAC Tournament Championship and hosting the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Timberwolves enter the season ranked No. 25 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and have been selected to finish first in the GLIAC preseason poll.

The Wolverines capitalized on their first shot of the game, taking an early 1-0 lead in the 26^th minute. Northwood responded with a goal at 28:55 by Adam Thomas (High Wycombe, England) on an assist by James DeCosemo (Stokesley, England). The teams went into halftime tied 1-1, despite NU holding a 16-3 advantage in shots.

Decosemo and Thomas paired up again to score Northwood's second goal at 49:52, as Thomas fed DeCosemo who finished with a line drive past the keeper. UofM-Dearborn continued to fight, as Alek Vasilevski netted his second goal in the 54^th minute to tie the game 2-2. The Timberwolves continue to fire shots on goal and finally scored the game-winner at 63:51 on a header from Mayowa Olufeko (London, England). Olufeko finished a pass from Jack Smith (Milnthorpe, England) who took a free kick from just inside the half line.

Northwood finished with an extensive offensive advantage, out-shooting the Wolverines (35-7) and earning 13 corner kicks to UofM's one. DeCosemo and Thomas each finished with a goal and an assist, while Johannes Sterobo (Odense, Denmark) picked up the win for the Timberwolves with a pair of saves.

NU will be back home against Saginaw Valley State on Friday (September 5) at 4 p.m. CLICK HERE for a complete list of promotions throughout the season.