NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene women's soccer held off a tough Hawaii Pacific squad in the home opener on Tuesday night, defeating the Sharks 4-2.
How It Happened
The Nighthawks got on the board first in the 29
th minute when
Sierra Sanchez gathered a ball in the midfield and found
Ashley Parton on the left side, where Parton took a few dribbles past a defender and rifled a shot into the back of the net.
NNU doubled up the score seven minutes later, with
Madison Grande collecting a throw-in from
Gracie Mares and letting loose from outside the box with an arcing shot that got over the keeper's outstretched glove and in.
The Sharks would not go away quietly, though, scoring just before halftime in the 44
th minute and then converting a penalty kick goal in the 62
nd to knot things up at two apiece.
It would take just 44 seconds for the Nighthawks to regain the lead, however, as
Magda Wronski sent a ball into the box and
Allison Wolf was able to poke it past the keeper to make it 3-2.
NNU added some insurance 10 minutes later in the 72
nd, when
Alejandra Jaramillo headed a failed clear by an HPU defender into the net, taking the 4-2 advantage that would stand to the final horn.
Nighthawks Notes
- NNU earns their first win of the young season, moving to 1-1-1 on the year after three games
- The Nighthawks dominated the run of play, taking 19 shots to eight for HPU while also holding an 11-6 advantage in shots on target
- Madison Grande had six shots, with three going on target
- Alexis Montoya had four saves in goal
- With two points on the opening goal of the game, Ashley Parton moved into fifth all-time at NNU with 44 career points
Next Up
The Nighthawks will remain in Nampa for another game this Saturday, hosting Westminster at 2:00 p.m.
