The Pioneers first took Great Lakes Bible College on Friday
in Lansing, Michigan. Typically an easier match for Northland, this contest was
anything but as an energetic and hungry Great Lakes team was eager to change
the region’s perception of them. Freshman Josh Conover started the scoring off
for the Pioneers in the 15th minute as he headed home a corner kick
cross from fellow freshman Caleb Salsman. That would be all the scoring in the
first half, despite Northland outshooting Great Lakes 18–0 in the first half.
The second half would see much of the same as the ball
rarely left Northland’s attacking third of the field. The ball did on one
occasion, however, slip past the Northland defense, and an opportunistic Bradley
Bisdorf from Great Lakes was able to slot the ball past Pioneer keeper Dave
Bartholomew. This was Great Lakes’ first goal against the Pioneers in over five
years and, deservedly so, gave them new life in the game. Their energies were
shown defensively as they held off the Pioneer's attack for the remainder of
regulation, forcing overtime. Northland’s incessant pressure would finally
pay off in the 92nd minute as Daniel Doran converted a penalty kick
to end the game 2–1. The Great Lakes keeper was credited with 20 saves as
Northland outshot the Lakers 39–2. Northland then moved on to play Ohio
Christian the following day in Grand Rapids.
Ohio Christian had stunned the NCCAA II at the National
Tournament last year defeating #2 seeded Manhattan and taking eventual champion
Clearwater to PK’s, so the Pioneers knew that they would be in for a battle.
Northland came out ready to play in the opening stanza, outshooting OCU 19–2 in
the first half. The Pioneers were unable to score, however, thanks in large
part to the efforts of Steven Fabian who collected 19 saves on the day.
The second half saw OCU gain some momentum and put some
pressure on the Northland defense. Northland still outshot OCU 14-11, but it
was a much more evenly matched contest. Northland finally had a golden
opportunity to take the lead in the 75th minute, but Fabian again
came up big, blocking a PK to keep the scores knotted at zero. The match would eventually
move to double overtime, and OCU striker Dave Blamo was able to capitalize on an
OCU counterattack and net the game-winner in the 105th minute. A frustrated
Northland side would then take on regional opponent Grace Bible College on
Monday.
Grace Bible seemed extremely poised to take down the
Pioneers for the first time in over eight years as they had defeated OCU on
Friday 3–1. Northland would again prove to be up to the challenge as they again
came out with a strong first half performance. Daniel Doran put Northland ahead
in the 18th minute as he finessed the ball over the Grace keeper who
had strayed from his line. Northland would continue to press until freshman
Josh Conover buried a shot in the 32nd minute to push the lead to
2–0. Senior captain Bryce Pegram, fresh off an ankle injury that had sidelined
him for the opening month of the season, picked up the assist.
The second half would see Grace find their composure and
create several decent scoring chances until Ryan Snyder was able to find the goal
for the Tigers in the 67th minute. From that point on it was a
dogfight with neither team willing to concede. Freshman Josh Conover would play
hero for the Pioneers as he put the game out of reach in the 85th
minute, putting his second goal of the contest in the net. Dave Bartholomew was
credited with a strong game in net for the Pioneers as he collected four saves
on eight Tiger shots. Northland would manage twenty-two shots, forcing Carl
Getty to make nine saves in net for Grace.
Northland next plays in Minneapolis when they take part in
another cross-regional event including Providence, North Central, and
Faith this coming weekend. Providence is currently ranked #2 in the NCCAA II
poll with Northland right behind at #3.