EUGENE, Ore. – It was the final home game of the season and NCU’s seniors played a big role in the outcome as the Beacons shutout Trinity Lutheran College on Friday night, 3-0.
The Beacon defense was dominant, led by the efforts of seniors Candis Hatfield, Jacelyn Neumann, and Joceline Howard. The Eagles were held to just five shot attempts and two shots on goal. Numerous times the TLC midfielders would find Forwards with strong passes, but each time the run was stifled by the Beacon backline. Senior Kristin Fulbright made two saves in goal as well, picking up her 14th career shutout.
Head Coach Jessica Cardwell said, “It is great to walk away with a shutout and three goals on the board, especially on senior night. Kristin and our defensive line worked very hard all night for that shutout.”
Offensively, the Beacons were making things happen all evening, taking 21 shots including 12 shots-on-goal. NCU also wasted little time putting away the game-winner on a set piece just one-minute into the contest. Freshman Sami Wilson took a corner kick and senior Howard headed the attempt forward to the waiting fee of Brighton Hebisen who fired home the goal-line strike to put the Beacons ahead, 1-0.
The one-goal lead held for a long time and would prove to be enough for the win, but a pair of late insurance goals provided some breathing room as well as a memorable finish to the home career of senior Melyssa Weber. In the 85th minute, Weber sent a cross into the box where junior Mikaila Riddle tapped it into the twine.
Not even a minute later, Riddle and Weber found themselves on a fast break. This time the give-and-go finished with a Riddle pass to Weber who fired home an empty-net attempt for her 11th career goal.
“Only having one year to coach Melyssa hasn’t been enough,” said Cardwell. “I am constantly amazed by her work ethic and leadership. Her dedication to this team and her teammates, is what sets her apart.”
The Beacons will hit the road for the final two weeks of the regular season as they push to sneak into the top-eight in the CCC and the chance to compete in the conference tournament. NCU currently sits in 11th place but just one win behind eighth-place Evergreen. Next weekend the Beacons will hit Warner Pacific (0-6-1 CCC) on Friday night before facing conference-leading Eastern Oregon (6-1) on Saturday.