ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Men's Soccer Team got to compete in front of the home crowd on Saturday afternoon. The Northwestern Eagles took on the Eagles from Emmaus University. Right from the starting whistle, UNW controlled possession and consistently pressured the Emmaus goalkeeper and back line, finishing 3-0 for their first win of the season.
Within the first minute, the Eagles had two great chances on goal with shots by
Matthias Kuker (Vienna, Va./Trinity Academy at Meadow View) and
Max Plaza (New Brighton, Minn./St. Anthony Village). UNW peppered the goal with 26 shots throughout the first half.
Ryan Dryer (Kenosha, Wis./Westosha Central) nearly scored when he put his head on a cross from a corner kick, hitting the side netting in the 21
st minute. Northwestern continued to keep their foot on the gas, and finally, in the 30
th minute, the pressure paid off when freshman
Levi Harmes (Richfield, Minn./Homeschool) found some breathing room and delivered a perfect shot, burying the ball in the back of the net for the Eagles' first goal of the 2026 season and the first of his budding career.
Dutch Broughman (Eagle River, Alaska/Chugiak) entered the game with 10 minutes left in the half and immediately created three great chances for his team with a cross to
Kayden Dugger (Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop McNicholas), who headed the ball on target. Broughman later had a shot attempt himself that went wide. Broughman delivered another great opportunity as he lifted a ball into the box for a header from fellow freshman
Daniel DeWalt (Nathrop, Colo./Buena Vista), which missed wide.
The Eagles finished with one final attack with ten seconds left when Plaza burst downfield, missing to the left. Plaza must have sat with his miss on his mind through the halftime break, because 66 seconds into the second half, he received a cross from Harmes at the top of the box and delivered an unstoppable shot to the top corner, scoring the Eagles' second goal of the afternoon.
In the 53
rd minute,
Joe Nyagaka (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) broke free from a pair of defenders and took a shot that hit the far post and was pushed back into the field by the Emmaus goalie. Nyagaka calmly collected the ball, beat another couple of defenders, and sent another shot into the top shelf of the goal, leaving no doubt to score UNW's third and final of the afternoon.
The Eagles maintained pressure throughout the remainder of the half, but were unable to convert a fourth goal despite eight final scoring chances. Freshman Harmes contributed an all-around day, finishing with a goal and an assist with three shot attempts.
Nathan Parker (Lino Lakes, Minn./Heritage Grace Academy) led the team with eight shot attempts and four shots on target; Nyagaka also added four shots on target with a goal in his 67 minutes. Plaza tallied the final goal with 7 shot attempts. Dryer and
Izzy Girma (Woodbury, Minn./Math & Science Academy) each added three shots. In goal,
Logan Hutzenbiler (Billings, Mont./Billings Central Catholic) made his first collegiate start, securing the shutout with two big saves near the end of the game.
UNW moves to 1-1 and has a busy week next week, playing three games, beginning with an away game at Hamline on Tuesday (9/8), followed by a road game at UW-Stout on Wednesday (9/9) at 7:00 PM. The Eagles return home on Saturday (9/12)to take on Concordia College at 2:00 PM.
