The Red Raiders (2-2-1) finished off their trip to Chicago with a 3-0 win over Saint Xavier University (0-2-1).

Northwestern started off the match strong with a ton of pressure as they kept the Cougars pinned in their own half for much of the year part of the game. The Raider's could not find the net in the early going with their starters but the Raiders would keep pushing and find the net in the 37th minute after Tatiana Garcia would pressure the Cougar backline on a bouncing ball in the box and would block the clearance toward the goal and tap in the finish. It was Garcia's first goal of the season and 10th of her NWC career.

The Raiders would quickly double their lead early in the second half after the Raiders kept the pressure up and in the 51st minute, Emily Hurley would score her second on the season. 

MacKenzie Bammer would pick up possession in the final third and would slip a through ball to Hurley who would hold off two defenders and beat the keeper for a Raider goal. 

Nikky Farnsworth would cement the win in the 59th minute after Maria Lopes would find Emily Hurley higher up the field and Hurley would spring Farnsworth with a through ball that would put her through one on one with the keeper and she would finish around her for her second goal of the season.

Liz Foster would earn the shutout in her first start of the season making 3 saves along the way.

"We played a complete game today," commented head coach Ben Karnish after the win. "We defended well all over the field and it resulted in great chances for our team. Everything correlates to our defensive work rate on the day and that was fun to see for 90 minutes. Hopefully we can continue to play defense at that level game in and game out."

The Raiders take on Buena Vista University (Iowa) Tuesday, September 10 and 6pm on the road. It will be the last non-conference match for the Raiders.