Orange City, Iowa – The Dakota Wesleyan University women's soccer team used a 16-5 edge in shots to its advantage, defeating conference opponent Northwestern College by a score of 2-0 on Wednesday from the NWC Soccer Complex in Orange City, Iowa. The two-goal road victory gave Dakota Wesleyan not only its second-straight Great Plains Athletic Conference victory, but also its first win over Northwestern since the 2011 season.
DWU senior forward Jozy Bardsley (Tea, S.D.) and the Tiger (6-5-0, 3-3-0 GPAC) offense got the momentum rolling early and often to start the match. Bardsley scored the first goal of the contest in the 4th minute after her initial shot on goal was blocked and DWU controlled a 1-0 lead.
Taira Shimata (Mililani, Hawaii) struck a pair of shots on goal minutes later near the 10th minute, but the attempts were denied and the score remained unbothered in the early going.
Using the fast start, Alondra Partida (Salinas, Calif.) and Bardsley, who finished with eight shots in the contest, tested the Northwestern back line once again midway through the period. Following an attempt at goal by Partida, Bardsley found the back of the net in the 24th minute and the Blue and Gray extended its lead to 2-0.
Meanwhile, the Dakota Wesleyan defense held the Red Raider (4-8-1, 1-5-1 GPAC) offensive attack in check, limiting NWC to just one shot in the opening 45 minutes. Kazia Ohayon (Hartford, S.D.) closed out the initial half with a pair of corner kicks while Deandrea Johnson (Antioch, Calif.) attempted a late shot, however, the match sat deadlocked at 2-0 at halftime.
In the second period, the Dakota Wesleyan defensive unit continued its stifling grip on the Northwestern attack. The Red Raiders sought opportunities on goal in the 61st and 67th minute, including a strike by Julie Dunlap who finished with multiple shots in the contest. Yet, Hannah Trumbull (Casper, Wyo.) controlled both shots after getting the nod at goalkeeper. Both Trumbull, and fellow DWU goalkeeper Isabella Gregg (Moreno Valley, Calif.) combined for four saves.
While the Tiger offense was kept scoreless in the second frame, seven shots was enough to keep the momentum going and ultimately secure the 2-0 victory. Bardsley, who now has eight goals in 10 matches this season, paced the way while Partida and Shimata combined for five shots. Dakota Wesleyan also held the upper hand in corner kicks with a 5-1 advantage.
Head coach Clayson Glasgow and the Tigers look to continue the momentum and keep the ball rolling next versus Doane University at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Crete, Neb.