ST. PAUL, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team carried their four game winning streak into Friday afternoon's matchup at Reynolds Field against the Northland College Lumberjills. The game marked senior day for the Eagles, as they honored their eight seniors during halftime of the contest. The Eagles honored their seniors on the field as well, winning the contest 1-0 to extend their winning streak to five games.
Despite controlling possession for the majority of the game as well as creating a lot of shot opportunities, the Eagles were shutout in the first half. UNW outshot Northland 15-2 in the first 45 minutes of play, and were able to shut out the Lumberjills as well as the two teams entered halftime locked in a scoreless tie.
The Eagles, who needed a win to stay in the race at the top of the UMAC standings, came out and played more high quality soccer in the second half. The Eagles outshot their opponent 13-1 in the second half and finally found that elusive, game winning goal in the 64
th minute.
Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wisc./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) continued her stellar season as she found the back of the net to give the Eagles the 1-0 lead that would hold all the way until the end of the contest. Mersberger, a freshman, is having truly one of the best seasons in school history as she scored her 20
th goal of the season and her 6
th game winning goal of the campaign as well. The goal ties Mersberger for second place with Kyrie Jorgenson (2007) for goals scored in a season. The all-time record is 22 goals in a single season and that was set by Rebekah Kirby in 2009.
Delaynee Bohatta (Hammond, WI/St. Croix Central) played in net for the Eagles and was credited with a shutout as she played all 90 minutes and made two saves.
Mya Chan (Brandon, S.D./Homeschool) and
Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wisc./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) each had a remarkable eight shots on goal, while
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School) and
Briella Babcock (Byron, Minn./Byron) added three shots on goal apiece.
The victory was the fifth in a row for the Eagles and it sets up a big time showdown at Reynolds Field tomorrow. The Eagles will host the Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets who have handed the Eagles their only conference loss of the season and currently sit atop the UMAC standings. The game begins at 3:30 and the result will have major UMAC Tournament implications.
