WATERTOWN, Wis. - On Tuesday of Fall Break, the University of Northwestern Men's Soccer Team made the trip to Watertown, Wisconsin, to take on the Sabercats of Maranatha Baptist University. The Eagles were looking to snap a five-game scoring drought that had stretched 20 days. The Eagle faithful had to wait until the 68th minute, but Northwestern finally broke through with a goal that would secure three points and put another "W" in the win column.
The Eagles came out on the attack, outshooting MBU 6-2 through the first 45 minutes, but managed to put just one shot on target. Northwestern continued to create offensive opportunities in the second half, finding its rhythm and placing five shots on goal.
The breakthrough finally came in the 68th minute following a Maranatha throw-in. Levi Harmes (Richfield, Minn./Homeschool) beat a defender to the ball, heading it toward Max Plaza (New Brighton, Minn./St. Anthony Village). Plaza controlled the ball, maneuvered around two defenders, and found Josiah Mezey (Monument, Colo./Village) down the sideline. Mezey took it from there, skillfully evading two defenders before slipping past a diving Sabercat and sending the ball into the back of the net. The Eagles celebrated their long-awaited goal, then held on to their one-goal advantage for the final 22 minutes to secure their first win since September 16.
Mezey led the Eagles with the lone goal on two shot attempts. Braeden Morrow (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) finished with a team-high four shots, including two on target. Harmes, Blaine Chandler (Wylie, Texas/Plano Senior) and Matthias Kuker (Vienna, Va./Trinity Academy at Meadow View) each added a shot on goal. Logan Hutzenbiler (Billings, Mont./Billings Central Catholic) played all 90 minutes between the posts for Northwestern, collecting three saves to preserve the shutout.
Northwestern will return to Reynolds Field on Saturday, October 24, to take on Martin Luther College and celebrate Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 5:00 PM.
