Guenzel Scores First Career Goal in Pride’s 2-1 Victory Over NMU
HAMMOND, Ind. — Just two days before Senior Day, midfielder Felix Guenzel (Munich, Germany/Anne-Frank Gymnasium Erding) knocked in his first career goal off the assist fromBrandon Rivera (Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech) as Purdue Northwest (7-6-1) won its second consecutive conference match over the Northern Michigan Wildcats (6-4-4) at Dowling Park.
The rain was coming down in spades at Pepsi Field, and the match did not feature a plethora of offense early. Enrique Serna (Majadahonda, Spain/Colegio San Jaime) got the scoring started in the 32nd minute as he bent a beauty of a shot from the right side above the box. Serna now has five goals on the year, which ties him for the team lead with Isaiah Nieves.
The match was knotted up at one in the 66th minute after a shot deflected off a PNW player and went past the outstretched arms of Bradley Brack (Crown Point, Ind./Merrillville) in goal.
As the physicality continued to ratchet up, both teams were scrambling to gain an advantage. Guenzel was able to put in the game winner in the 81st minute after Rivera dribbled around the Wildcat defense and found Guenzel in the middle of the box to make it 2-1 Pride. The Wildcats would have a free kick inside of a minute but the shot was offline, securing the fifth conference win of the season for Purdue Northwest.
Next up, the Pride will host senior day this Sunday at Dowling Park as they welcome the Northwood Timberwolves (5-7-1). The match will kick off at 12 pm (CST).