Women’s team
The Northwestern women’s soccer team split two games this week, pushing their overall season record to 8-6-3, and bumping them up to fourth place in the GPAC at 5-3-2.
After a scoreless first half, the Red Raider women used a quick start to the second half to knock off the College of Saint Mary Flames 2-0 on Saturday. Freshman midfielder Sarah Homan opened the scoring in the first minute of the second half on an assist from freshman forward Lexi Weaver. Junior midfielder Alissa Christoffer sealed the victory with a goal in the 78th minute for the Red Raiders.
Sophomore goalkeeper Naomi Schimmel posted her sixth shutout of the season while picking up two saves in the match. The NW defense only allowed seven total shots against the Flames.
Another quick second-half start wasn’t enough as the NW women fell to the Morningside Mustangs 4-2 in the second-to-last game of the regular season Tuesday night. NW dominated for periods of the game and were able to take the lead twice throughout the contest, but ultimately came up short due to some excellent finishing by the Mustangs who had only five shots on goal.
Sophomore midfielder Madison Bertman gave NW the lead 23 minutes into the game before Morningside equalized in the 42nd minute. The Red Raiders again scored early in the second half as Christoffer scored from senior midfielder Michaela Gibson’s corner kick, giving NW a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute. Just three minutes later, the Mustangs were able to draw level again. After a back-and-forth 20 minutes, the Mustangs were able to find the net from the penalty spot in the 77th minute before sealing the contest with a goal in the 80th minute.
The Red Raiders head to Midland on Oct. 31 to finish off the regular season. NW is currently in fourth place in the GPAC, and can seal home-field advantage for the first round of the GPAC tournament with a victory over the Warriors.
Men’s Team
On Tuesday, the NW men’s soccer team picked up their 12th win of the season by defeating Morningside 2-0 on Senior Night. The men are currently 12-4-1 overall and 7-1-1 in GPAC.
The Red Raiders found the back of the net in the 34th minute when sophomore forward Landon Sibole chipped a cross to freshman forward Tyler Limmer who headed the ball past the goalkeeper. Sibole finished another chance in the 54th minute to give NW a two-goal lead. Freshman midfielder Lee Wynja nearly bagged a third goal for the Red Raiders in the 84th minute, but his shot went off the crossbar.
NW will travel to Midland on Oct. 31 for a showdown between two teams tied for second place in the conference. The winner will at least finish second, but could share the league title if Hastings loses to Morningside. The loser of the NW-Midland game will finish in third place.
