The Pioneers opened their weekend on Friday as they battled Providence
College, currently ranked second in the NCCAA II. The Pioneer defense knew it
would be tested by Andry Giesbrecht. Giesbrecht is a returning All-American and
widely considered to be the best forward in the NCCAA. Northland came out strong in the opening frame
as senior Paul Reece started the scoring for the Pioneers in the seventh
minute as his close-range shot deflected by the Providence goalkeeper. The
Pioneer defense, led by sophomore Jason Lorch and senior Bryce Pegram, was able
to limit Giesbrecht in the first half, holding him to just two shots. Northland
would continue to press the Freemen defense and add a second goal just before
the half as Daniel Doran was the recipient of a Josh Conover pass and slotted the
ball home for his twenty-first goal of the season, which leads the NCCAA II.
The second half saw much of the same as Northland continued
to control possession and pressure the Providence goal.Freshmen Josh Netz and Josh Conover were able
to connect as Conover put home his ninth goal of the season. Conover
is currently leading freshman goal-scorer in the country. The score would
remain 3–0 until the eighty-second minute when Josh Netz put home a
twenty-five-yard blast off an assist from Reece. The clean sheet was completed
as Northland limited Giesbrecht and the Freemen to just seven shots compared to the
Pioneers’ twenty-five. Northland had a 7–1 advantage in corners, and Dave Bartholomew
was only forced to make one save in net for the Pioneers.
Northland next moved on to play host team North Central
University on Saturday. Northland again came out strong as they created several
opportunities in the opening minutes, but it was the Rams that opened the scoring
as they converted on their only shot of the match in the seventh minute
to take a 1–0 advantage. Northland would respond just eight minutes later as
Paul Reece benefited from a Bryce Pegram pass and ripped the ball into the back
of the net. The game would remained tied until the forty-fourth minute when
Josh Conover put home his tenth of the year off an assist from fellow
freshman Miles Herron. Northland held a 19–1 shot advantage at the break but
only led 2–1.
The second half saw a stingy NCU defense refuse to concede
despite incessant pressure by the Pioneers. Josh Conover added Northland’s
third and final goal in the seventy-third minute. Paul Reece added the
assist. Northland held an 8–1 advantage in corners and a massive 39–1 advantage
in shots.
Northland completed their three-game weekend on Monday as they faced Faith Baptist of Ankeny. For the second game in a row, Northland would pepper the opponent’s
goal as they put on a dominating performance. The fans hardly had time to
settle in before freshman Luke Ortler started the game on the right note for
Northland as he scored off an assist from freshman Josh Netz in the first twenty
seconds of the match. The Pioneers would add two more before the break with
goals from Mark Romig and Miles Herron, pushing their lead to 3–0 at the half.
Northland would add four more in the second half with goals
from Bryce Pegram (48’), Ortler (50’), Netz (52’), and Caleb Salsman (80’).
Northland would outshoot Faith 42–2 and hold a 10–0 advantage in corner kicks.
Dave Bartholomew was credited with two saves in net. The Pioneers improve to 11–3
on the year and are unbeaten in their last four games.The team will now enjoy some
well-earned rest as they recover before their next match on Tuesday, October 12,
at Finlandia University.