MOORHEAD, Minn. – On a windy Friday afternoon, the University of Northwestern women's soccer team battled Concordia College and came away with a hard-fought 1-0 victory. The win marked the first of the season for the Eagles and the first under new head coach Danny Brandt.
The opening half was a physical, midfield-heavy contest, with both sides combining for just seven shots. Northwestern didn't register its first attempt until the 30th minute, when the Eagles worked their way into the Cobbers' box. Meghan Corbett (Sartell, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral) created the best chance, firing a shot that sailed just over the crossbar, giving the Eagles some momentum heading into the break.
The second half brought more action as UNW pressed forward on the attack with five shots in the first 20 minutes. Concordia nearly struck first on a dangerous breakaway, but goalkeeper Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) cut off the angle outside the box while defenders Julia Bradley (Rapid City, S.D./Stevens) and Elle Bush (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) hustled back to help force the shot wide. Moments later, the Eagles found their breakthrough. Freshman Marie Kendall (Dakar, Senegal/Dakar Academy) delivered her first collegiate goal in style, hammering home a strike from 30 yards out that found the top shelf. All three of Northwestern's goals this season have come from nearly 30 yards, showcasing the Eagles' ability to finish from distance.
UNW nearly doubled the lead late when Mallory Moseman (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) connected on a header off a corner kick, but the effort went just wide. Still, Kendall's goal stood as the difference as UNW secured the shutout win.
Northwestern outshot Concordia 16–12 on the day. Kendall led the charge with seven shots, five on frame, while Corbett and Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wis./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) each added three. Hansen tallied five saves to earn her first clean sheet of the year.
The Eagles are back in action in less than 24 hours, tomorrow at 2:00 PM, when they face Nebraska Wesleyan in a neutral-site, non-conference matchup.
