ST. PAUL, Minn. - After a full day of Homecoming festivities, the University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team capped off the evening in the UMAC Game of the Week against the University of Wisconsin-Superior. In an uncharacteristic offensive showing, the Eagles were held scoreless in a 2-0 loss to the Yellowjackets.
Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool) set the tone early, battling through a defender in the second minute to put pressure on the UWS defense. The Yellowjackets responded with two goals in the opening half. The first came from close range following a rare miscommunication by the Eagles in the box, while the second came from deep to give UWS a 2-0 advantage heading into halftime.
The deficit marked the first time Northwestern had trailed in UMAC play this season. It also marked the first time a conference opponent had scored multiple goals against the Eagles, with senior goalkeeper Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) anchoring the defense.
Northwestern continued to push forward in the second half, with Marie Kendall (Dakar, Senegal/Dakar Academy) and Meehan leading the attack. The pair accounted for all of UNW's shots on goal, but the Eagles couldn't find the back of the net as attempts were blocked or sailed off target. Despite the final score, Northwestern held the advantage in shots, shots on goal, possession, and corner kicks, continuing to create opportunities.
Meehan finished with seven shots, including three on goal, while Kendall recorded eight shots with two on target. Hansen finished with one save. The Eagles will look to respond on Wednesday, October 14, hosting North Central under the lights at Reynolds Field at 7:00 PM.
