Northland International University

The first match was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. against Ohio Christian University, one of the eight national tournament teams for 2009.The score was 0–0 up to the 36^th minute when freshmen, center midfielder Rebecca Newton was tripped inside Ohio Christian’s eighteen.Newton was awarded with a PK and answered positively.The score remained 1–0 going into the half.The concern of Coach Casteel was laid to rest as the Lady Pioneers turned up the heat in the second half.In the 51^st minute senior Abi Sexton and junior Kristy Maholic worked together to place the ball at the feet of senior, forward Miranda Smith where Smith brought the count to 2–0.In the 66^th minute Sexton connected with Smith, once again, to advance the score to 3–0.“Our defense remained solid all day and keeper, freshman Jo Paine did an outstanding job in the box,” Casteel commented.Northland’s defense, consisting of sophomore Bethany Chatfield, sophomore and 2009 Second Team All-American Nicole Wung, sophomore Sara Seering, and sophomore Jen Sullivan, have worked hard to consistently hold the opponent to minimal success. This being said, in the 86^th minute Sarah Peters found the net for Ohio Christian, bringing the final score to Northland 3–1.   

At 5:00 p.m. Northland would take the pitch once again with hopes of a win in their first region match-up of the season.“This is Grace’s first year with a women’s soccer program so I was not sure of what to expect.I know that Tom Summerfield has a good reputation in the soccer world so I don’t expect it to be easy,” Coach Casteel commented.The day was not easy as both teams entered the red zone several times on both sides of the pitch, but Northland finally penetrated the Tiger defense in the 23^rd minute.Freshman Kate Matthai found the net with a direct shot on goal that deflected off of a Tiger defender and brought the score to Northland 1–0.Just seven minutes later, senior Miranda Smith would connect to push the score to 2–0 going into the half.“The girls were tired at the half but determined to push on . . . I was proud of their attitudes,” Coach Casteel stated.Smith would find one other opportunity in the 70^th minute to enhance the score 3–0, which remained to the end of 90 minutes. The Lady Pioneers improve to 4–1 and next play in Minneapolis as they are involved in a tri-match with Providence, Faith of Ankeny, and North Central this weekend.