ASHLAND, Wis. – The goal was clear for the University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team in its regular season finale at Northland College on Saturday: win the game and clinch the number two seed (and a home semifinal game) in the UMAC Tournament. It wasn't the prettiest of performances from the purple and gold, but the Eagles got the job done, winning 2-0 in the frozen tundra of Ponzio Stadium.
Northwestern had plenty of chances early, but wasn't able to turn any of them into goals. When the first half ended, UNW had fired 10 shots and nine shots on goal, and had not allowed a single Northland shot. Despite this, the scoreboard read 0-0.
After a frustrating first 45, the Eagles turned to their leaders on offense to carry them home. One game after scoring career goal number 50, senior
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School) delivered the go-ahead goal UNW so desperately needed in the 57
th minute. Moeller stuck it in the top left corner where even the best goalkeepers in the world would not have been able to stop it.
Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wisc./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah), who nearly scored twice in the seconds leading up to Moeller's goal, added an insurance goal in the 85
th minute off a nice pass from
Briella Babcock (Byron, Minn./Byron) to seal the deal. Mersberger also hit the 50 career goal mark Wednesday at Martin Luther and sits at 26 goals at the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, which is currently tied for second in all of NCAA Division III Women's Soccer.
Despite a relatively close final score, Northwestern dominated the stat sheet. The Eagles out-shot the Lumberjills 21-1 and 19-1 on goal. Mersberger attempted seven shots, all of which were on goal, while Moeller and
Meghan Corbett (Sartell, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral) both finished with four and four.
Megan Kohrt (Monona, Wis./Homeschool) added five shots and three shots on goal, while
Madeline Hallberg (Princeton, Minn./Princeton) added a shot on goal of her own.
Samantha Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) saved the lone Northland shot on goal in her shutout performance. She was aided in the back end by
Elle Bush (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji),
Mallory Moseman (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy),
McKenna Gordy (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti),
Lauren Bosley (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) and
Samantha Kothari (La Crosse, Wis./West Salem).
With Saturday's win, the Eagles finish the regular season with an 11-6-1 record and an 11-2-1 UMAC record. Their stellar play has earned them the two seed in the 2023 UMAC Tournament, where they will host Bethany Lutheran Wednesday night at Reynolds Field. The two teams split their two regular season matchups, with each home team defending its home turf. The official start time is yet to be announced, but you can catch the action on the Eagle Sports Network.
