The Red Raiders drop their second to last GPAC match 2-1 Saturday against the Broncos of Hastings College. Northwestern currently sits in a position where they can host a playoff game but still will need some help to make that a reality.Â
The Raiders started the scoring off early in the 11th minute when NWC were able to gain possession and find
Cherish Henry who was able to spring
Nikky Farnsworth through the Bronco back line. Farnsworth was able to collect herself and shoot from a hard angle to the right of the goal and hit a hard, high shot that Hastings keeper Lexi Harris was able to get a hand to but was not able to keep out of the back of the net.Â
The Raiders played well the rest of the half until the last 30 seconds when the Broncos were pressuring and the Raiders were not able to kill off the half. Gabriella DiDio was able to play a through ball to Heidi Bartsch who beat two NWC defenders to the ball and passed the ball around
Naomi Schimmel.Â
The second half was a tight and highly contested throughout. Both teams had chances throughout and the Broncos were able to capitalize on a few NWC errors to put the game winner away. In the 79th minute Hastings was able to get the ball wide to Sally Stoltenberg who hit a high cross into the Northwestern box and after a miss-hit on the defensive clearance lead to Emily Weyant taking an uncontested first touch and a half volley finish past Schimmel.Â
The Raiders had chances after that point but were not able to convert on any of their chances. The Raiders drop to 5-2-2 in conference and 10-4-3 overall and currently sit in 4th place but will need some help from other teams to help them stay in a top 4 spot where they can host a first round GPACÂ playoff matchup.
The Red Raiders travel to Briar Cliff University on Saturday, October 28 at 1pm for their last regular season contest.Â
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