The Pioneers continued their great start to the season as
they defeated the host team, Wisconsin Lutheran, in the finale of the Warrior Cup tonight in overtime, 3–2. Northland started the tournament off on a great note as they
downed Carroll University by 4–2 yesterday. This was Northland’s first victory
over an NCAA III top twenty-five opponent in school history; but it was back to
the grind tonight as they battled a strong and hungry Wisconsin Lutheran side.
A very focused, Wisconsin Lutheran team took the pitch
tonight and from the very beginning were intent on winning this match. Lutheran
started the scoring off in the fifteenth minute as Florin Maduta was able
to sneak one into the net after a scramble in the box. Northland would generate
several opportunities and finally pull even in the forty-second minute just
before the half. Senior captain, Daniel Doran, continued his strong play in
midfield as he drove home a header off the cross of Josh Netz.
The game would remain a heated contest throughout with each
team receiving several cautions, including three red cards (two for
Northland/one for Lutheran). The scoring
resumed in the seventy-seventh minute when Lutheran took the lead off a goal
from James Sather. Northland would respond just four minutes later, however, as
Doran scored his second from the PK spot. The game headed to overtime with each
side depleted of players and energy, but the leadership of Daniel Doran spurred
his team to victory. Doran would seal the win with a thirty-yard blast that beat
the Lutheran net-minder in the upper 90 corner of his goal. With the win,
Northland claimed the trophy as tournament champions with Carroll and UW
Platteville playing to a 1–1 draw earlier this afternoon.
Northland extends their winning streak to four games (4–0)
and will look to improve upon that record on Tuesday when they travel to Watertown,
Wisconsin, to play regional rival—Maranatha Baptist Bible College. They will, however,
be without their duo of freshmen attackers Mark Romig and Josh Conover who will
be ineligible due to red cards. Northland will again be looking to the strong, midfield play of Doran, Netz, and Lorch to lead them to the win.