NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene women's soccer earned a huge victory over Seattle Pacific at home on Saturday, taking down the Falcons 3-1.
How It Happened
The Nighthawks stunned the Falcons with an early goal, as a defensive miscue by SPU gave NNU a great opportunity in the 15
th minute. After a
Madison Grande shot was saved, the Falcon goalie rolled the ball to a defender, who made a bad pass up the middle that was intercepted by Grande. Grande took a few steps and fired a laser that deflected off the crossbar and bounced down into the goal.
SPU responded quickly, tying things up just four minutes later as Lauren Forster curled a ball into the net from the left side.
The scoring was not done in the first half, though, as the Nighthawks broke through for another tally in the 27
th minute.
Ashley Parton was taken down in the box and received a penalty kick, which she drilled past the keeper's left side to put NNU up 2-1.
NNU's defense held strong throughout the game, with SPU taking 13 shots but only managing to put four of them on goal.
Despite the Falcons holding most of possession in the second half, NNU was able to add another insurance goal in the 66
th minute. Parton sent a ball across the front of the goal that was deflected away by the Falcon keeper and rolled to Grande's feet. Grande took one shot that was blocked by a defender but bounced right back to her, where she made good on a second attempt to make it 3-1 Nighthawks.
Nighthawks Notes
- NNU improves to 4-1-1 on the year and 2-0 in GNAC play
- The Nighthawks have now won four-straight games, with three of those coming at home
- The win snaps a five-game losing streak to Seattle Pacific, with the last victory coming in 2017
- Despite being outshot 13-12, NNU's chances were better with seven attempts put on frame to just the four for SPU
- With her two goals, Grande moves up to fifth all-time at NNU with 17 in her career
- After her tally today, Parton is just ahead of Grande in fourth with 20 goals in her career, just one back of third-place
- Parton is also now fourth in the record books in career points with 48
Next Up
The Nighthawks will remain home next week, hosting Simon Fraser on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 6:00 p.m.
