Aug. 13, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Four different Wildcats scored and three goalkeepers combined on a shutout as Northwestern women's soccer opened its season in true team fashion with a 5-0 exhibition win over Loyola at Lakeside Field Friday afternoon.
Because of the extreme high temperatures in Chicagoland, the 90-minute game was divided into four quarters to allow for extra rest and hydration. After a scoreless first quarter, freshman Julie Sierks (Edina, Minn./Edina) opened the scoring for Northwestern in the second stanza. Minutes later, the 'Cats added a second when Briana Westlund (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) put a shot off a defender that continued into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead at halftime.
Junior Jill Dunn (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) added to the score just seconds into the third quarter, blasting a shot from the right side of the box into the net. Emily Langston (Los Altos, Calif./Los Altos) scored on a breakaway later in the period before Caroline Dagley (San Rafael, Calif./The Branson School) wrapped up the scoring in the fourth quarter.
"I'm very pleased with the effort and work rate our team showed today," fifth-year head coach Stephanie Foster said. "There are certainly plenty of things we still need to work on, but to come out and score five goals in our first game of the season is a great starting point."
Northwestern's three goalkeepers all had a hand in the shutout. Returning starter Carolyn Edwards (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) faced just two shots in the first half before ceding the net to freshman Sam Hatfield (Crossfield, Alberta/W.G. Murdoch) and Grace Weitz (Golden Valley, Minn./The Breck School) for the game's second half.
The 'Cats now have eight days to prepare for the regular season opener. Northwestern will host DePaul on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. Admission and parking are free for women's soccer matches at Lakeside Field.
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