BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Olivet Nazarene scored three times in the opening 27 minutes and held off a late push from the Indiana University Northwest women's soccer team, which got a goal from Mari Williams in the 82nd minute, in a 4-1 loss Wednesday.
The hosts wasted no time asserting themselves. Melea Miller opened the scoring just under three minutes in, and Claire Blackney doubled the lead in the sixth minute to put IUN in an early 2-0 hole. Cassidy Garberding made it 3-0 in the 26th minute off an assist from Miller, capping a difficult opening half for the RedHawks.
IUN began finding its footing as the half progressed, generating five corner kicks and testing Olivet Nazarene goalkeeper Meegan Randall multiple times. Xiomara Santana, Gianna Witte and Williams all had looks on goal before the break, but Randall and the Olivet Nazarene defense held firm to preserve the three-goal cushion at halftime.
Olivet Nazarene extended the lead to 4-0 in the 53rd minute when Kaleigh Blatti made a strong initial save on a Miller penalty kick, only for Miller to bury the rebound and make it 4-0.
The RedHawks continued to press for the remainder of the match. Erin Harrison had multiple shots on frame in the second half, and Mari Williams rattled the crossbar in the 66th minute before finally breaking through in the 82nd minute, finishing off an assist from Teyha Guiden for her sixth goal of the season to make it 4-1.
Riley Kain made two saves in the first half before Blatti took over in goal after the break, finishing with three saves of her own. IUN out-shot Olivet Nazarene 20-14 for the match despite the lopsided scoreline.
With the loss, Indiana Northwest falls to 4-4-1 on the season. The RedHawks play Saturday, Sept. 26, against Calumet College at East Chicago Central High School. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. CDT.
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Indiana University Northwest
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