SUPERIOR, Wis. – The start to the 2021 season hasn't gone according to plan for the Yellowjacket men's soccer team. In the first 10 days of September, the 'Jackets lost three close games to MIAC opponents, to start the season 0-3-0 for the first time since 2016.
 
Saturday night the 'Jackets were back home, and looking to turn their fortunes around as they hosted Northland to open the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference season at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex.

A full-blooded, physical affair started on a sour note with Northland grabbing the early lead, but the Yellowjackets rallied in a big way. The offense exploded for six goals – scoring three times in each half to defeat the Lumberjacks 6-1 before a big crowd on the first Swarm Night of the 2021-22 year.
 
After falling behind early, the Yellowjackets (1-3-0, 1-0-0 UMAC) rallied and scored three times in a span of 2:02 late in the first half to take much of the drama out of the evening.
 
Northland opened the scoring less than five minutes into the match when Lee Dennis converted on a penalty kick to make it 1-0.

It stayed that way until the 32:32 mark when Protus Babaya (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) connected on a header in tight to even the score at 1-1. Babaya did it again just 36 seconds later, this time finding the top left corner to put the Yellowjackets in front 2-1. Before the crowd even got a chance to finish cheering the second goal the Yellowjackets added another. This time Archie Gjerdrum (St. Paul, Minn./Como Park) drilled a shot from 30 yards out into the left side of the goal, and just like that the Yellowjackets were up 3-1 heading into the break.
 
As the teams came out for the second half, the physicality picked up as numerous cards were issued to the two teams. The Yellowjackets fought through the physical play and continued to pour on the offense.
 
In the 59th minute rookie Josh Bellamy (High Wycombe, England/FAB Football Academy) scored his first collegiate goal, directing a low kick into the middle of the goal to make it a 4-1 lead.
 
At 67:01 the Yellowjackets increased the lead. Blake Perry (Anoka, Minn./Anoka), who had already collected three assists in the match and was seemingly in the middle of every play, connected from the right side of the box, driving a kick into the top left corner to make it 5-1. Perry's first goal of the season also activated the season's first Culver's Five Goal Free for All, sending all the fans in attendance home with a free scoop of custard from Culver's in Superior.
 
The Yellowjackets closed out the scoring when Nicolai Stokker (Klokkarstua, Norway/St. Hallvard) scored his first of the year at 81:26, sending a right-footed kick into the top of the goal to make the final score 6-1.
 
For the match, the Yellowjackets attempted 18 shots to just four for Northland. Shots on goal favored the Yellowjackets 11-2. Defensively the Yellowjackets were sound, and in the second half they didn't allow Northland a shot on goal.
 
As mentioned it was a physical match, with the Yellowjackets committing 12 fouls while the Lumberjacks committed nine. A total of six yellow cards were issued, with five going to Northland.

Alex Paredes (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) got the start in goal for the Yellowjackets and earned his first collegiate win, finishing the match with one save.
 
Next up for the Yellowjackets is another date with Northland. The teams will meet Saturday, Sept. 18 at Ponzio Stadium in Ashland. The opening kick is set for 2 p.m.