Box Score

ST. PAUL – A pair of opponent goals within one minute put the University of Northwestern in a tough spot on Friday afternoon, as the team dropped its first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) matchup to Martin Luther College in a 5-3 fashion. The Eagles forced three second-half goals, including two within 14 minutes, but it was not enough to overcome the early deficit by the visiting Knights.

Both teams remained scoreless early as shots were exchanged on each end of the field. Martin Luther's momentum began rolling in the 22^nd minute as Jenna Maurer netted a shot past the UNW defense and then returned again just 50 seconds later to deliver an assist to teammate Casey Sauer at the 23:31 mark.

The Eagles fought back, forcing four corner kicks before the first half time would expire, but it was not enough to cut into MLC's lead.

To begin the second half, the guests from New Ulm, Minn. pressured the Purple and Gold back line again, putting a shot between the pipes 4:55 into the period. UNW found the response it was looking for less than five minutes later as Annette Scheil (Blaine, Minn./Legacy Christian ) tallied the first goal of her career after landing a shot from around 30 yards in front of the goal.

As the tides changed with the home squad on the board, Martin Luther put its final score into the net at the 69:54 mark to slow down the comeback efforts. Northwestern would see two more goals, one apiece from Sarah Gerten (Excelsior, Minn./Southwest Christian) and Lindsay Halvorson (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) amidst the fall rain making its appearance on the pitch.

Although the final outcome favored the visitors, the Eagles tallied one more shot than its opponent, while Emily Johnson (Esko, Minn./Esko) fended off six shots, two less than the saves on the other end of the field.

Northwestern (1-3 overall, 0-1 UMAC) will look to get back in the wins column on Saturday with another conference game slated versus Bethany Lutheran College at Reynolds Field. Kickoff will begin at 2:15 p.m. following the men's opener to start the double header.