The Red Raiders (1-0-1) took care of business Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over the Bruins of Bellevue University (2-3). 

Northwestern started off the match strong out possessing the Bruins and limiting their opponents to limited chances early on. The Bruins only generated chances off of their two corners in the first 15 minutes but could not generate much against the ball hounding defense of the Raiders.

NWC would break through in the 23rd minute when a Bruin corner would turn into a Raider counter attack with Tatiana Garcia on the charge. She dribbled the ball almost 80 yards and screamed past the Bruin defense to play a ball to the middle of the field to Maddi Avery who took a solid touch away from the Bruin keeper and slotted the ball into the back of the net. It was Avery's first collegiate goal and Garcia's first assist of the season.

The Raiders would take the 1-0 lead into halftime but they continued to create chances in the first half ending with 10 shots.

The Bruins would switch up some of their tactics in the second half and were trying to find Emily Weyant higher up the field more consistently but Northwestern adjusted well and continued to limit the Bruin attack. 

The Raiders would capitalize on another Bruin set play in the 66th minute. The Bruins had a long free kick in the Raider half and the ball was cleared out by Hannah Ten Pas who sprung the counter for the Raiders finding Emily Hurley screaming up the field. Hurley would play Nikky Farnsworth through and Farnsworth would unselfishly play Maddi Avery in for an easy tap in finish around the Bruin keeper for her second goal of the match. It was Farnsworth's first assist on the year. 

The Raiders would see out the rest of the second half limiting the Bruins to only 6 shots in the whole second half. Destinee Montenegro earned her first shutout of the year while making 5 saves along the way. The win keeps the Raiders undefeated, 1-0-1, as they take on Olivet Nazarene University Monday afternoon. 

"We played really well for 90 minutes today," commented head coach Ben Karnish. "We possessed the ball really well and kept the pressure up all while limiting one of their best player's ability to get the ball in dangerous areas. We played well tactically and technically which in our books is always a good recipie to victory."

Northwestern faces Oliver Nzarene University (1-0) Monday afternoon at 1pm at the NWC Soccer Complex. It is the second match of the Pizza Ranch Classic.