MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team kept rolling on Wednesday afternoon, earning their second straight UMAC victory with a 3-0 win over Minnesota-Morris. For the second game in a row, the Eagles struck three times while doubling their opponent's shot attempts and firing on goal with impressive accuracy. To her credit, the Cougars' keeper kept the scoreline in check with 13 saves.
Unlike the men's match, most of the action came in the first half. Marie Kendall (Dakar, Senegal/Dakar Academy) continued her red-hot form, scoring in the 15th minute and assisting on another goal just five minutes later. Her opening strike came as she dribbled up half of the field through multiple defenders, finishing past the keeper. Soon after, Kendall continued her streak of hitting the crossbar, but today, Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wis./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) pounced on the rebound and muscled past a defender to score for a 2-0 lead. In the 40th minute, Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool) capped off the half with a composed goal. After Kendall's cross skipped over the box, Olivia Hagner (Coon Rapids, Minn./PACT Charter School) collected it and fed Meehan, who beat her defender, took her time, and slotted a shot into the opposite corner.
Morris tightened up defensively in the second half, holding UNW to nine shots. But the Eagles' biggest moment came with just two minutes left when the Cougars were awarded a penalty kick. Goalkeeper Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) guessed correctly, diving to deny the shot and preserve her second shutout of the season.
Kendall paced the Eagles' attack with 11 shots and 7 on target, alongside her goal and assist. Mersberger added a goal on 7 attempts, while Meehan scored on 2 shots. Meghan Corbett (Sartell, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral) turned in a standout performance in the midfield, shutting down Morris' attack while also tallying three shots of her own. Hansen finished with four saves, highlighted by her shutout-saving penalty stop.
The Eagles return to action Saturday, October 4, when they visit Crown College for a 3:30 PM kickoff, sandwiched between UNW Men's Soccer and UNW Football as part of a busy day for Eagle athletics at Crown.
