MOORHEAD, Minn. – Playing their second match in as many days, the University of Northwestern women's soccer team showed grit in their attack but came up short against Nebraska Wesleyan, falling 5-2.

The opening minutes set the tone for a wild first half. Nebraska Wesleyan struck first in the third minute, but the Eagles erased the lead just 13 seconds later. Senior Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wis./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) took a pass from Alix Krueger (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake Area), cut to her left, and launched a shot from the top of the box that curled into the upper corner. The Prairie Wolves regained the advantage six minutes later, only for Northwestern to answer again midway through the half off a corner kick from freshman Marie Kendall (Dakar, Senegal/Dakar Academy). Kendall's corner found Britta Holter (Hudson, Wis./Hudson), who redirected the ball to Mersberger,  burying her second goal of the match to level the score at 2-2. Nebraska Wesleyan broke the deadlock before halftime, sending UNW into the break trailing 3-2.

The Eagles pressed forward after halftime but couldn't find another breakthrough as the Prairie Wolves added two goals to widen the gap. Northwestern nearly pulled one back late when Kendall chipped a shot over the keeper that struck the far post with about nine minutes remaining, but the Eagles couldn't convert on the rebound.

Northwestern finished with 12 total shots, seven on frame. Mersberger paced the attack with two goals through six attempts, four of them on target. Kendall added four shots, including two on goal, while Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool), the reigning UMAC Offensive Player of the Week, tallied two more shots with one on target. Holter and Krueger each picked up an assist, and goalkeeper Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) played all 90 minutes, registering five saves.

The Eagles return home for their first game on their home turf at Reynolds Field, hosting St. Olaf on Saturday, September 13, at 7:00 PM.