ST. PAUL, Minn. - The University of Northwestern Women's Soccer Team hosted Martin Luther College on Senior Night. After honoring Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy), Jessica Redman (Beaver Dam, Wis./Beaver Dam), Brynn Kolbrek (Maple Grove, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy), and Sophia Boockmeier (Victoria, Minn./Holy Family Catholic) before kickoff, the Eagles went to work on the field, scoring four goals in the first half and adding one more in the second for a 5-0 victory.
In the opening 15 minutes, both Marie Kendall (Dakar, Senegal/Dakar Academy) and Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool) sent shots off the frame of the goal as Northwestern looked to get on the board early. The Eagles eventually broke through when an MLC defender inadvertently sent the ball into her own net, giving UNW the opening goal of the night.
With 15 minutes remaining in the first half, Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool) and Kendall connected for a beautiful second goal. Meehan threaded a pass between two defenders to find Kendall in stride, and Kendall calmly finished with a first-touch shot into the top of the net. In the 40th minute, Kendall returned the favor, finding Meehan near the top of the box. Meehan created space and fired a shot that slipped past the keeper to extend the lead.
Ada Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool) added the fourth goal with just 30 seconds remaining in the half. Receiving the ball in the box, she shifted it onto her left foot before sending a rocket into the top corner. Northwestern headed into halftime with a commanding 4-0 lead and an 8-0 advantage in shots on target.
Just two minutes into the second half, Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool) found the back of the net for her second goal of the game. Kendall fired a shot that forced a diving save, but the rebound fell into the box, where Meehan buried it in the opposite corner to make it 5-0. The Eagles continued to create chances throughout the remainder of the game but were unable to add to their lead.
Meehan led the Eagles with two goals and an assist, putting both of her shots on target. Kendall finished with a goal and an assist while recording seven shots on target, and Ada Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool) added a goal on five shots on goal. Northwestern's defense held the Knights without a single shot attempt, giving Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) a quiet night in goal. Ella Rydberg (Plymouth, Minn./Heritage Christian Academy) entered for the final nine minutes and also faced no shots as the Eagles secured the shutout.
Northwestern will close out the regular season with two road contests, beginning with Crown College on Wednesday, October 28, at 7:00 PM.
Congratulations to Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy), Jessica Redman (Beaver Dam, Wis./Beaver Dam), Brynn Kolbrek (Maple Grove, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy), and Sophia Boockmeier (Victoria, Minn./Holy Family Catholic) on their UNW soccer careers and upcoming graduation!
