The Red Raider women's soccer team (6-3-1, 3-1 GPAC) beat Morningside College (3-7, 1-3 GPAC) in overtime Saturday afternoon, 1-0. 

Northwestern and Morningside matchups have been traditionally tight since Ben Karnish took over the program in 2013 with only one match, a 4-2 Morningside win in 2015, not finishing as a draw or a 1-goal win.

The wind played a big factor in the match Saturday as the team that had the wind at their back looked more dangerous. Morningside had the wind in the first half and really put the Raiders under in the first half, especially the last 15 minutes. Northwestern saw Liz Foster make a few really good saves and center back Keslie Paul save a ball off the goal line with her head but the Raiders would survive and get to halftime 0-0.

The Raiders started off the second half strong and were able to sustain a constant attack in the Mustang half. The Raiders generated a good number of chances along with corner kicks and they could not crack the back of the net. The match would go into overtime with both teams scoreless.

Northwestern was shot out of a cannon in the overtime period seeing them pin the Mustangs back in their final third multiple times over. The Mustangs only crossed half field twice with possession in the overtime period. The Raiders were energized and spurred on by a loud bench, sensing that a goal was near.

The Red Raider winner would come in the 96th minute when the Raiders would win possession near half and Audrey Leyen would drive forward into the Mustang final third and lay a ball back to Brenna Rauwerdink who would hit a long ball into the box where it would bounce over the keeper's head and into the back of the net for the win. It was her first career goal for the Raiders.

"Morningside is always a tough match for us and today was no different," commented head coach Ben Karnish. "They came out with a solid game plan and to be fair, we were lucky to get to half time 0-0. We generated a ton of great chances in the second half and were hunting for the ball all over the field and we were eventually able to get one in overtime. Our conference is tough and today was a great battle."

The Raiders continue their GPAC grind when they take on Dordt University at home on Wednesday at 5pm.