MANKATO, Minn – The University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team traveled to Mankato on Tuesday night to take on the Bethany Lutheran Vikings, who are ranked second in the UMAC. The Eagles battled to the final whistle, but were unable to overcome the trio of goals scored in the first half, finishing with a score of 2-4.
A slower start for the Eagles allowed Bethany Lutheran's offense to get hot during the conference matchup. The Vikings out-shot Northwestern 16-2 in the first half, netting three of those shots. Out of the 16 attempts, 10 were on target. The Eagles mustered up an answer just one minute after the Viking's third goal of the half.
Briella Babcock (Byron, Minn./Byron) controlled the ball down the far sideline, beat her defender and crossed the ball in front of the goal, finding
Madeline Hallberg (Princeton, Minn./Princeton), who was awaiting the pass. Hallberg left no doubt as she headed the ball into the net for the Eagles' first goal of the night and the second goal of her career.
Bethany Lutheran went on to score once more in the 65
th minute. The resilient Eagles battled for the remainder of the game, finding one more goal, courtesy of
Megan Kohrt (Monona, Wis./Homeschool). Kohrt returned last week for her first game since the middle of September. The shot by Kohrt was set up by a pass from
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School) to the top corner of the 18-yard box. Kohrt turned and shot a bullet towards the goal, and despite falling as she took the shot, the ball found its way into the opposite corner of the net. The game finished 2-4 in favor of the Vikings.
In addition to Kohrt and Hallberg's goals, Moeller tallied an assist to go along with her three shot attempts, while Babcock also had an assist with one shot and one shot on target.
Samantha Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) finished the night with 13 saves.
The Eagles will be on the road for their final away game of the regular season on Saturday at 3:30 PM, taking on the University of Minnesota Morris Cougars.
