Sophomore defender Alessandro Scialanga earned the Wildcats’ top award when he was placed on the GLIAC First Team.

Junior forward Tommaso Lami earned a position on the Second Team, while freshman midfielder Quint Van Roij was named honorable mention.

“I want to first congratulate Tommy, Ale(ssandro) and Quint on their postseason awards,” Northern head coach Alex Fatovic said in an NMU Sports Information news release announcing the awards. “They and many others on our squad are fully deserving and more; however, they clearly displayed their dedication and passion for their team and the game every single day, which will always separate good players from great.

“I would also like to congratulate our whole first-year class as well. An amazing group of players that has the opportunity now to do something really special at NMU.”

Northern Michigan University’s Alessandro Scialanga, third from left, scores his second goal of the game on this kick during a college men’s soccer game played against Thomas More University at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Sept. 14. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

Despite a late-season rush finishing 2-2 in their last four league games, the Wildcats finished seventh in the seven-team GLIAC at 6-8-2 overall and 3-8-1 in league games. They missed the sixth and final spot for the conference tournament by one point, or a half-game, as Purdue Northwest finished just in front of them at 3-7-2.

Scialanga, a native of Sutri, Italy, missed most of the 2023 season due to injury. He was termed consistently one of the Wildcats’ best players day-in and day-out by the coaching staff.

He stated every conference game this fall, leading the team with 1,080 minutes played and was third with his three points on a goal and an assist while taking 25 shots, even while playing defense.

In all games, where Scialanga also led NMU with his 1,438 minutes, he finished with three goals and three assists for nine points, tied for the team lead in points and No. 1 in assists. His three goals and 35 shots were both second on the team.

“I believe he’s the best left back in the country so there is no real surprise here,” Fatovic said. “The scary part is I know he still has more levels to give in his performance.

Thomas More's Tim Stolz, right, is unable to block a kick by Northern Michigan University’s Tommaso Lami during their college men’s soccer game played at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Sept. 14. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

“Ale is a top player and top person, I can’t wait to see what he does next year.”

Lami, a native of Bologna, Italy, was another Wildcat who suffered through an injury for much of 2023. He made a big comeback this season after he had been named 2022 GLIAC Freshman of the Year as he led NMU this fall in scoring in the GLIAC and shared that honor with Scialanga in all games.

He had three goals and six points in the conference and four goals and an assist in all games.

Starting all 12 conference matches, he also led the team with 34 shots, 17 shots on target and was second in minutes played with 1,020.

The team captain started all 16 matches and was also second in overall minutes with 1,353.

Northern Michigan University’s Tommaso Lami rushes the ball down the field in a GLIAC men’s soccer game played against Roosevelt at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Oct. 6. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

“We all know he’s truly a First Team All-GLIAC player, but to come back after a year off from injury and to earn a place on the All-GLIAC Second Team speaks to the hard work, grit and passion Tommy has,” Fatovic said. “Tommaso has been a great captain and inspiration for our young players.”

Van Roij, a native of Heeswijk-Dinther, The Netherlands, made an immediate impact as an NMU freshman, starting in all 11 matches he played in and recording the team’s third-most minutes overall with 1,326.

“Quint was a mainstay in our central midfield in his freshman year,” Fatovic said. “Quint started 15 straight games and gives everything on and off the pitch.

“A natural leader, we can’t wait to help develop Quint into the top player he can be.”

The conference’s five major awards were spread around four schools.

St. Cloud State earned two, with forward Philip Caputo named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year and Sean Holmes as GLIAC Coach of the Year.

Roosevelt graduate student Nick Kilian earned Defensive Player of the Year, Wisconsin-Parkside junior Daniyal Rana the Goalkeeper of the Year and Davenport midfielder Easton Lopez the Freshman of the Year.

Maybe somewhat surprisingly, regular-season co-champion Saginaw Valley State was shut out from these awards, though the Cardinals could assuage the sting as they claimed the GLIAC Tournament title on Nov. 17 with a 4-3 penalty-kicks win over Roosevelt after they tied 1-1 in the championship match.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.