Northwestern went 1-0-1 in the Pizza Ranch Classic this weekend to continue their unbeaten streak to 4 games. The Raiders took care of Central Christian University Friday night after a 3-goal first half put the game out of reach early. The match would end 4-0 in NWC's favor. The Red Raiders then played strong to a 1-1 draw against Viterbo, coming up just short of a game winner in overtime. The Raiders are off to their best start in program history, 3-1-1. 

Friday night started off with a bang with the Raiders scoring again in the first 10 minutes of the game. Madison Bertman put in a great individual effort goal after a great through ball by Cherish Henry. This was Madison's 2nd goal of the early season.

The goals kept coming as Jessi Carver was able to bash home a close range finish after Tati Garcia held off her defender in the box and got a touch on the ball to send it back to Jessi. Her finish got partially blocked but found its way into the top netting. The goal in the 35th minute was Jessi's first of the season

The Raiders finished off the half strong and in the 44th minute, found another goal off a through ball from Nikky Farnsworth. The ball broke through the center back and outside back of CCU onto Tati Garcia's run. This too was Tati's first goal of the season along with Nikky's first assist on the year. 

Madison Bertman once again was able to find the back of the net 55th minute of the second half. After finding the ball at the right side of the goal at the top of the box, Madison took two big touches to get her to the center of the frame and placed a great left footed finish in the top corner of the goal. This was Madison's 3rd goal of the early season.

The Raiders finished with 12 shots on frame, a season high.

Northwestern took on Viterbo University Saturday night. The Raiders once again got on the board in the first 10 minutes, now doing so in 3 of their first 5 matches, when Madi Bertman had a great run down the right side and was able to cut back on her defender and take a strike that found its way past the keeper and into the back of the net. This was Madison's 4th goal of the season, matching her season record of 4 in 2016.

The V-Hawks got even in the 29th minute after a scramble in the Red Raider box. Nicole D'Ambrose capitalized on the bouncing ball in the box and taped in the equalizer. The goal saw the end of a 305 minute shut out streak by the Raiders and goalkeeper Naomi Schimmel. This was the second longest streak in program history. 

The rest of the match saw multiple chances by each team but neither one was able to finish off their chances to take the lead. The Raiders finished with 10 shots on frame to Viterbo's 8.

Northwestern will travel to Aberdeen, S.D. to face Presentation College Saturday, September 9th at 2pm.