KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The University of Northwestern opened their NCCAA tournament run with an impressive showing. After three full weeks since their last game, the Eagles showed little sign of rust, jumping out to an early lead in the first half. UNW doubled their lead in the second half before allowing the Eagles from Asbury University their lone goal to take the victory 2-1.

This was the first-ever meeting between these two teams, and it proved to be an even battle. Northwestern, the fifth seed in the tournament, controlled the opening 45 minutes and outshot fourth-seeded Asbury 13-4, forcing seven saves from the AU keeper. In the 16th minute, the Eagles notched the opening goal from the foot of Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wis./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah). Elle Bush (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) began the attack with a pass up to the head of Mersberger around midfield. Mersberger flicked the ball through to Marie Kendall (Dakar, Senegal/Dakar Academy), who carried it forward, beating her defender. The sliding keeper knocked the ball away from Kendall, but only as far as Mersberger, who fired a powerful shot that deflected off both a defender and the goalkeeper before finding the back of the net.

After dominating the first half, Asbury found their rhythm in the second frame, outshooting UNW 12-4. Despite the lopsided shot attempts, Northwestern secured their second goal in the 67th minute. The goal came from none other than Mersberger, completing her brace in true Haley fashion on a breakaway one-on-one opportunity. She dribbled deep into the attacking third and used her left foot to set the ball on a silver platter for her strong right foot to deliver a strike that was unsaveable on the far post. With 17 minutes remaining, Asbury scored a goal of their own to bring the match to its final 2-1 scoreline.

Mersberger, coming off a major recognition in the Game Plan 4 LIFE series, was in prime form. She scored twice, took 10 shots, and put eight on target. Kendall added four shots with one on frame, while Sophia Boockmeier (Victoria, Minn./Holy Family Catholic) challenged the keeper with two of her own. Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) played an impressive 90 minutes in goal for the Eagles, collecting five saves, four of which came late in the second half.

The Eagles, now 1–0 in pool play, will have less than 24 hours to recover and prepare before taking on top-seeded Bethel University (Indiana) on Tuesday, December 2, at 11:00 AM.