ASHLAND, Wis. – The Northland College Men's Soccer team earned its first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference point of the season drawing 1-1 with the University of Northwestern Tuesday evening in Ashland, Wis. Senior Julien Ruoppolo scored from the spot to tie the game in the 80^th minute while Rodrigo Chavez made 18 saves to keep the Jacks in the game.
 
The Jacks saw very little offense in the first half but managed to hold the Eagles from getting the looks they wanted. Northwestern struck first in the 12^th minute with Gonzalo Luna Belmonte sending in a cross the found the head of Aaron Hill who directed the ball into the back of the net. Keenan Bayer had Northland's sole shot on goal in the 41^st minute. Chavez kept the damage at one making nine saves in the first half.
 
Chavez continued to come up big stopping more promising attacks. After a penalty in the box, Ruoppolo stepped up to the spot and drilled the ball in the back of the next to level the game. Shortly Landon Kusuno was racing to a through ball and collided with the opposing keeper after trying to flick it over. In the final five minutes, the Eagles continued to send everything toward net but Chavez kept it all out to end the game with 18 saves to help the Jacks earn a conference point.
 
Northland totaled three shots on frame coming from Ruoppolo, Bayer, and Kusuno. Chris Gomez had a shot in the first half that ended up getting blocked before it reached the keeper.
 
The Jacks look to build on their success as they host Martin Luther College on Saturday at 2 p.m., at Ponzio Stadium.
 
Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, Midwest Lacrosse Conference, and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.