Northwestern College dominated from start to finish in its 8-1 season-opening win over Buena Vista tonight at the NWC Soccer Complex. 

Seven different players found the back of the net as the Red Raiders scored the most goals in a season opener in program history. They improved to 5-5-1 in season openers during Head Coach Dan Swier's tenure at Northwestern. Senior forward Tyler Limmer became the Red Raiders' career assist leader, dishing out three in tonight's win against Buena Vista, to push his career total to 17 and passing Gabriel Goncalves who accounted for 15 assists during the 2011-14 seasons.

Freshman midfielder Mateus Freitas opened the game's scoring with his first collegiate goal during the sixth minute off an assist from Limmer. Alex Schussman put the Red Raiders in front 2-0 with a goal during the 27th minute, also from an assist by Limmer. Felipe Gontijo capped the first half scoring as he found the back of net with an unassisted goal at the 37th minute.

The Red Raiders put the game away early in the second frame, scoring  three goals within an eight minute stretch, for a 6-0 lead. Jacobo Garcia-Nieto put away a beautiful header on a Red Raider corner kick from Freitas, who recorded the first assist of his career. Limmer earned his third assist of the night and 17th for his career when he hooked up with Anselmo Kim for a combination play during the 57th minute. Breno Fabbri netted the first of his two goals at the 60-minute mark with a left-footed shot from the penalty box area. Cole Cruse and Fabbri both added unassisted goals during the final 10 minutes.

Troy Finnegan scored the lone BVU goal during the 65th minute and goalkeeper Manuel Aguilar totaled 13 saves. 

Matt Scott had one save and faced a total of five shots for the Red Raiders.

Northwestern (1-0) travels to play Benedictine (Kan.) on Saturday, Aug. 25. 

Notes...

Limmer, now the Red Raiders all-time assist leader, is second all-time in career goals with 40; trails Patrick Dirkse (1999-2002) who scored 47.