Northwest's Acacica Johnson (#3) scored the game clincher today.
Eagles Claim First CCC Soccer Title
PORTLAND, Ore. – Northwest University clinched their first Cascade Collegiate Conference championship in school history with a 2-0 shutout of Warner Pacific this afternoon breaking Concordia’s twelve year reign at the top of the standings (CU and the College of Idaho shared the top spot in 2009).
NU's Jessica Oliver scored the game winner in the first half at the 20:39 mark. Oliver got control of the ball 18 yards out and lifted a shot over WPC goalkeeper, Lynzee Felder, to give NU the 1-0 lead. For Oliver, it was her second game winner in two days as she scored the lone goal in the Eagles' 1-0 upset win over No. 3 Concordia. Northwest U. had to play over 72 minutes shorthanded as Hannah Reeser received her second yellow card at the 36:52 mark of the first half.
Acacia Johnson scored the clincher in the 61st minute as she scored unassisted on a breakaway for the 2-0 lead which would hold up the remainder of the game. In a defensive struggle, a total of 15 shots were taken, 8 by NU and 7 by the Knights.
Patty Hughes picked up the shutout and made 2 saves for the Eagles (8-8-2, 7-1-1 CCC) while Warner Pacific (1-13, 0-9) goalkeeper Felder, had one save for the game. NU held the edge on corner kicks, 6 to 4. With her two goals, Johnson now had 7 goals and 3 assists for the season. Hughes picked up her fifth shutout.
"I am so proud of the team for sticking together and not losing sight of our Vision through a very trying preseason," commented Erin Redwine, Eagle head coach. "Experiencing disappointment early on helped us prepare for conference play and made us stronger. Winning the conference feels great and I'm so happy these ladies are reaping the reward of their hard work now. Our focus is now on the semi final game this coming weekend."
This marks Northwest University’s first women’s soccer championship beginning the sport at the school in 2006. Erin Redwine has been the head coach since the inaugural season leading the Eagles to a spot in last year’s championship game as they fell to Concordia, 1-0, in Portland. Redwine was named CCC co-coach of the year in 2011.