CALEDONIA, Mich. - The Davenport men's soccer team improved to 8-5 overall and 8-2 in the GLIAC with a 2-0 win over Northern Michigan on Friday night. The Panthers got a few big contributions from a pair of freshmen in this victory.

Shane Marinkovich earned the shutout in net and made four saves but none was bigger than stopping a penalty kick in the 72nd minute with Davenport clinging to a 1-0 lead. Marinkovich guessing correctly with a diving stop to his right as he denied Brady Kronenburg. The ball deflected off the crossbar and Kronenburg kicked in the rebound. The officials met and decided that the ball actually hit the football crossbar just above the soccer crossbar and the goal was not allowed.

Davenport on the flip side converted on a penalty kick of their own in the 44th minute. Matt Whelan calmly buried his sixth goal of the season with a firm shot to the upper right corner past a diving Alex Weaver. DU held a great amount of possession in the first half but led just 1-0 heading into the second half.

Davenport got their insurance goal just a moment after Marinkovich denied the penalty kick attempt. Klaris Kurti was the recipient of a pass from Justice Sikkema who drew the defense and passed from the left wing to the middle where Kurti was wide open. He scored his first career goal in the 74th minute from about 13 yards for the 2-0 lead. The Wildcats could not get any closer as Marinkovich had his fourth shutout of the season.

Davenport finished with seven shots on goal including four by Whelan. The Panthers will celebrate Senior Day on Sunday with a 2:00 PM kickoff against Parkside. Daire O'Riordan and Evan Marquess will be playing in their final regular season match and it will be a big one. DU is currently in first place in the GLIAC (8-2) and Parkside is right on their tails in second place at 6-3-1. The conference regular season championship could hinge on the result as just four matches remain in the regular season. DU was able to rally for a 3-2 overtime win earlier this season at Parkside.