Box Score




NAMPA, Idaho — Finally, the one thing missing from the Crusaders strong efforts on the soccer field showed up Saturday — victory!

The Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team scored early, got a big game from their defense and goalkeeper Daniele Ortiz, and shook off two disheartening setbacks with a 2-0 win over Saint Martin's in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at Finkbeiner Park on the NNU campus.

"It was great, mainly for the confidence for our girls," NNU head coach Mary Trigg said.

The win gives NNU (3-7-0 overall, 1-4-0 GNAC) confidence after it played great in its last two outings only to see their efforts spoiled in a 2-1 loss at Western Oregon and a 2-1 setback to Montana State Billings.
 

Two goals in the opening 12 minutes changed that trend for the Crusaders, though, on Saturday.

"We got the chances early and we finished them early," Trigg said.

Hannah Holm set up the first goal with a centering pass from the left side of the goal-box to teammate Madi Taylor, who slid past a Saints defender and redirected the crossing pass into the net just 8:09 into the action.

NNU then padded its lead 3:03 later when Ashley Cook-Cox got to a loose ball about 25 yards out from the Saints goal, a ball misplayed by St. Martin's goalkeeper Ali Kohler who was out of her net challenging on a long kick.

Cook-Cox chipped the loose ball towards the wide-open net and watched as it bounced into the goal for the 2-0 lead.

Then the Crusaders clamped down as Ortiz made eight saves in goal for her first shutout of the season.

"It's important for us to get that shutout, just for confidence in our back line and confidence in keeper who has been playing well for us," Trigg said.

Confidence the Crusaders now take on the road as they next play at Simon Fraser on Thursday afternoon.