ARDEN HILLS, Minn.- The University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team kicked off their 2022 campaign on Thursday by making the short trip down the road to square off with Bethel University. The host Royals defeated the visiting Eagles 4-1 on a hot afternoon.
Bethel, playing their first game of the season as well, started the game off on the right foot. The Royals scored in the fourth minute of the first half to take an early lead that they would not surrender. After adding goals in the 26
th and 29
th minutes, the Royals led 3-0 at the halftime break.
After a quick break in the shade during halftime, the Eagles returned to the sun-drenched field and played a strong second half. Despite giving up another goal to the Royals early in the second half, the Eagles responded to play a very solid half of soccer.
The highlight of the game for the Eagles came in the 61
st minute when freshman
Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wisc./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) scored the first goal of her collegiate career in what was also the first game of her collegiate career. Mersberger got in behind the Bethel defenders and found herself in a one-on-one with the goalie with the defenders pursuing rapidly from behind. The freshman got off a strong shot that went off the goaltender's hands and bounced into the back of the net.
Each team would score one goal in the second half and the Royals rode their first half performance to victory. It was a tight race in the shots department with Bethel getting off 21 shots (12 on goal) and Northwestern firing 15 shots (9 on goal).
Reagan Flaschberger (Shoreview, Minn./Centennial) got the start in net for the Eagles and tallied 8 saves on the afternoon.
Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wisc./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) led the Eagles with 4 shots in the game followed by
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School) who fired off 3 shots.
Megan Kohrt (Monona, Wis./Homeschool) and
Lily Fabienke (Ham Lake, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy) had 2 shots apiece in the contest.
After starting the season on the road, the Eagles now look forward to their home opener at Reynolds Field on Saturday, September 3
rd when they host UW-Platteville. The game is scheduled for 1:30 P.M. and is the first chance for UNW Nation to see UNW Women's Soccer at home this season.
