MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - With the gorgeous backdrop of downtown Minneapolis and picture-perfect weather, the University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team took the field against North Central. After scoring in the first minute, UNW went on to score seven more times before the final whistle to remain unbeaten in UMAC play.
Just 32 seconds into the game,
Marie Kendall (Dakar, Senegal/Dakar Academy), who was named UMAC Offensive Player of the Week this morning, picked up where she left off on Saturday, netting the opening goal. She received a pass from
Sophia Boockmeier (Victoria, Minn./Holy Family Catholic) on the left side of the field and dribbled past several defenders before hitting the top of the net for her 11th goal of the season. Five minutes later, the Eagles tacked on another goal from Northwestern's other UMAC Player of the Week,
Britta Holter (Hudson, Wis./Hudson). Holter earned the defensive portion of the award, but she continues to find ways to impact the offense on set pieces. Kendall delivered the corner kick, and Holter sent it to the back of the net to put UNW up 2-0. Kendall scored again in the 14th minute after receiving a pass from
Ada Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool). Her second goal looked like a carbon copy of her first, coming from the left side and burying the shot in the top of the net, out of reach of the Rams' keeper.
UNW stayed quiet offensively for the rest of the half, but came out of the break scoring twice within a span of three minutes, both assisted by
Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool). The first goal of the second half came from
Alix Krueger (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake Area) for her first career goal. She received a cross and made contact at the same time as a defender, sending the ball up in the air. Krueger then regained her balance and one-touched the ball over the goalie. Kendall scored the next goal for her second consecutive hat trick and her 10th goal through the last four games.
Sadie Mirich (Seattle, Wash./Rift Valley Academy) collected her first collegiate goal in the 69th minute. She took off after a through ball and beat all the defenders before taking a shot that powered through to the back of the net.
Brynn Kolbrek (Maple Grove, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy) and Holter connected for the Eagles' eighth and final goal of the game. Kolbrek took the corner kick, setting Holter up for the header and her second goal of the game.
Taking home three points and their fourth straight shutout, the Eagles had five different goal scorers in the 8-0 final. Leading the way with three goals was Kendall. She also had an assist while landing all seven of her shot attempts on target. Holter scored twice and also placed all her shots on goal.
Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool) finished with a goal and two assists with five shots on target. Mirich and Krueger each scored with two shots and two shots on goal.
Ada Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool), Kolbrek, and Boockmeier each notched an assist.
Sam Hansen (Cottage Grove, Minn./New Life Academy) started in goal and collected one save before
Ella Rydberg (Plymouth, Minn./Heritage Christian Academy) took over for the final 13 minutes.
UNW moved to 7-1-2 overall and 5-0-1 in conference after the win. The Eagles will now face all six UMAC opponents once again, beginning with UW-Superior on Saturday, October 10, for the UNW Homecoming match. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM under the lights of Reynolds Field.
