On Tuesday, the Raider women’s soccer team topped rival Dordt 1-0. The win gave NW its fourth-consecutive shutout. NW now stands at a record of 8-6-2 with two conference matches to go.
Sophomore Michaela Gibson
NW is currently third in the conference table but will have to play the top two squads, Hastings and Morningside, in their final two games.
The defense is largely to thank for the recent run of success. NW hasn’t allowed a goal in five games; the offense has put eight goals in the net in that same time.
In the Dordt contest, NW scored the match’s lone goal in the 53rd minute when freshman midfielder Alissa Christoffer found senior forward Ann Calsbeek for the score.
Senior midfielder Jo Jensen led the Raiders with four shots with three on goal. Christoffer tallied three shots and an assist. Calsbeek scored a goal on two shots.
NW outshot Dordt 20-1 in the lopsided contest.
“We have had difficulty scoring goals in the past, so we’ve been working on a lot of offensive drills in practice,” Calsbeek said. “And I think it’s showing with our play during recent games.”
Senior goalkeeper Ariel Watts earned her eighth shutout of the season and saved Dordt’s lone shot.
On Saturday, NW defeated visiting Concordia 2-0 despite being outshot 20-16.
The Raiders scored the team’s first goal on the 21st minute on a boot from Christoffer, which marked her fourth of the season. Jensen scored her second goal of the season in the 89th minute off a brilliant free kick. She sent the ball over the wall and placed it far outside the reach of the goalkeeper.
Christoffer led the team with six shots and a goal. Jensen scored a goal on two shots. Watts notched six saves.
The Raiders will travel to Hastings, Neb., on Saturday to clash with Hastings. The match is set to begin at 3 p.m.
“We’ve played very consistently for a while now, and I think that if we can maintain that level of play and stay determined, we’ll keep on having that success,” Calsbeek said.
