ST PAUL — The University of Northwestern defeated Northland College 3-2 Wednesday night in the semifinal round of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament. Two second half goals sealed the deal in the Eagles' electric win at Reynolds Field.

Jordan Skarin (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo ) had a breakaway five minutes into the half with a shot just left of the goal. With 30 minutes left in the first, Emily Goeppinger (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) hit the top of the cross bar, another close call for the Eagles. In the 17th minute of the first, Skarin earned her 16th goal of the season, bringing UNW to a 1-0 advantage over the Jills. 

Four minutes into the second half, Madeleine Wieland brought the score to 1-1, but just minutes later Wieland scored the second Northland goal, taking the lead over the home team. With 24 minutes remaining, sophomore Rachel Walmsley (Lino Lakes, Minn./Homeschool) fired from 20 yards back, scoring above keeper Alexandra Ritchie's reach in the upper left corner of the goal. Tied at two apiece, the Eagles continued to fight to the finish. Northwestern's Katie Meinke (Victoria, Minn./Southwest Christian) scored a crowd-erupting header as a result of a Anna Martinson (Apple Valley, Minn./Homeschool) corner kick with 40:45 on the clock. Meinke's fourth goal of the season was her first game-winner. Unable to break through the home team's defensive push in the final five minutes, Northland fell 3-2. 

Northwestern had two more shots on goal than the Lumber Jills (10-8) for the evening. Josie Monson (Albertville, Minn./Homeschool) was credited the win in goal for the Eagles, her ninth this rookie season.

The Eagles (13-5) currently sit at the third best record in Northwestern history going into the UMAC Championship on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The Eagles will host the College of St. Scholastica as the No. 1 seed.