Women’s soccer hitting slump

Northwestern’s women ran out of time in their rally against rival Dordt on Tuesday, and fell 3-2 to drop their record to 2-5-2 (0-2) on the year.
The Raiders got on the board quick when sophomore Alli Dunkelberger scored from 35 yards out just four minutes into the contest.
Dordt took the lead after scoring in the 12th and 46th minute off defensive miscues in the box by the Raiders. Their final goal in the 50th minute to made 3-1. Miscommunication and weak clears haunted NW for the entirety of the match.
NW fought back, and in the 62 minute mark, sophomore Alyssa Duren assisted freshman Tyler Farr to put the score at 3-2. Both teams continued to look for another goal till the final whistle blew.
“We know from playing them last season and in the spring that they like long balls to their outside forwards,” Duren said.
Dunkelberger led the squad in shots taken with four, and sophomore Johannah Jensen also contributed two. Splitting time in goal, senior Wendy Hofmeyer recorded two saves and a goal against in the first half, and sophomore Ariel Watts stopped eight and allowed two in the second half.
In their conference opener on Saturday, the NW women fell to Nebraska Wesleyan by a score of 1-0.
The only goal of the game came off a Nebraska Wesleyan corner kick in the 16th minute. It was a gimme header at the top of the six-yard box.
The Raiders lost some scoring opportunities due to their over-aggressive play trying to claw back into the game, and were called for six offsides on the contest.
NW had far more chances to light up the scoreboard, getting off 13 shots and putting seven of those on frame. Nebraska Wesleyan only put two of their seven shots on goal, including the goal scored.
The Raiders could have had more opportunities in the game.
“We just always try and look for that one perfect opportunity instead of taking all the good chances,” Duren said, “so we end up putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to make the one perfect shot when we really could take five shots. Chances are one of them will go in.”
Duren led the team with six shots, and Farr was next in line with four.
NW will be in action this weekend at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the Alumni game before traveling to Bellevue for a nightcap.