ST. PAUL, Minn. – After missing seven games due to injury,
Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wis./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) returned to the lineup on Saturday for the University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team. The reigning UMAC Player of the Year's impact was felt immediately, as she scored a pair of early goals to set the tone in Northwestern's 3-0 win over North Central University. The Eagles improved to 2-6-1 on the season and 2-2 in the UMAC with the win, and are now 30-0 all-time against North Central.
After a couple early chances were turned away by NCU goalkeeper Erma Ramirez, Mersberger headed in a corner kick from
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School) in the 11
th minute to give UNW the lead. It was the first goal of the season for Mersberger, who scored 26 times last season. She didn't waste much time adding her second either, doing so in the 15
th minute. The Eagles dominated the stat sheet in the opening half, out-shooting North Central 23-0 and 8-0 on goal, but weren't able to extend the lead past 2-0 before the intermission.
Northwestern continued to control possession into the second half despite dialing back the aggressiveness and substituting in every active member of its roster. UNW shot 10 times in the half compared to NCU's one. After 26 minutes of scoreless action,
Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool) converted a penalty kick after a Rams handball in the box. That would be the final scoring play of Northwestern's 3-0 win.
Mersberger finished with seven shots, four shots on goal and two goals in 42 minutes of action in her return to the pitch.
Briella Babcock (Byron, Minn./Byron) led the Eagles with nine shots, two of which were on goal, while Meehan shot five times and thrice on goal, including her score. Moeller also tallied five shots and two on goal, in addition to her assist.
Meghan Corbett (Sartell, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral) shot three times, all on goal.
Samantha Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) played a flawless first half as the Rams stayed scoreless, before giving way to
Brynn Kolbrek (Maple Grove, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy),
Kaisa Niska (Ramsey, Minn./Legacy Christian Academy) and
Kaya Vander Heiden (Richfield, Minn./United Christian Academy) to finish off the shutout.
Next up for Northwestern will be a date with Martin Luther College on Wednesday, October 2
nd. Kickoff in New Ulm is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
