NEW ULM, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team played their regular season finale on Saturday on the road against Martin Luther. The Eagles completed the season sweep of the Knights by winning the game 3-0. The Eagles have locked up the #2 seed in the UMAC Postseason Tournament and will be hosting a semifinal game next week.
Following an emotional win on Wednesday night, the Eagles needed one more win on Saturday to lock up that #2 seed. However, after 30 minutes of play the game was still locked in a scoreless tie. In the 34
th minute, the Eagles finally broke through.
Mya Chan (Brandon, S.D./Homeschool), who has been one of the steadiest and most consistent performers for the team all season long, gave the Eagles the lead in the must-win contest with her 4
th goal of the season.
After being held scoreless for a long stretch, the Eagles rode the momentum of that opening goal and cashed in again less than three minutes later. Haley Mersberger, who entered the game in 4
th place on the NCAA Division III National Leaderboard for goals, scored her 24
th goal of the season in the 37
th minute.
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School) delivered the assist which was her 5
th of the season, which is a mark that is tied for second best on the team. The Eagles led 2-0.
That score held for a long time. The game remained 2-0 deep into the second half, until finally in the 87
th minute the Eagles delivered the final blow. Haley Mersberger scored her 2
nd goal of the game to give UNW the 3-0 lead that would end up being the final score. Mersberger, who broke the school record for most goals in a season on Wednesday, extended that record to 25 goals and counting.
The Eagles outshot the Knights 21-14, and 9-4 in shots on goal.
Reagan Flaschberger (Shoreview, Minn./Centennial) had a nice game in net for UNW, pitching a shutout and making five saves.
The regular season is now complete and the Eagles (10-8-2, 10-2-2 UMAC) have qualified for postseason play. #2 UNW will host the UMAC Semifinals on Wednesday, November 2
nd at 4:00 P.M. The Eagles will play #3 Bethany Lutheran. The two teams have played two very tightly contested games this season, with the Eagles winning both games by one goal each. UNW also defeated BLC in the UMAC Semifinal at Reynolds Field last season by a single goal. Regular season champion #1 UW-Superior will host #4 Crown in the other semifinal game.
