Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Davidson
NU Wins Wildcat Affair, 3-0
9/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NU-Davidson Box
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Sept. 11, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. - Led by a pair of goals and an assist from sophomore Kelsey Hans, the Northwestern women's soccer team defeated Davidson, 3-0, Sunday afternoon. The win allowed NU (5-1-0) to finish 2-0 at its own Wildcat Classic.
"I think that we did a good job of maintaining our composure," said head coach Jenny Haigh afterward. "We have not played a team like Davidson, which is so direct in its attack. But we were able to keep our heads and take control. Once we got the momentum we were able to keep the pressure on and get the win."
A match that was even through one half -- NU led in shots just 6-4 and neither team scored -- took a sudden turn early in the second. Hans took a ball along the left side and, after beating a defender, lofted a shot that went over the Davidson keeper and into the side netting in the far corner. That goal came just 4:11 into the second half.
Hans was again the goalscorer in the 68th minute, finishing a penalty kick after a Northwestern player was pulled down in the goalbox.
NU's third goal came with just less than 10 minutes remaining in the match. Kelly Sitkowski sent a cross in from the right side, which fell at Hans' feet just wide of the goal. Facing away from the goal at a low angle, Hans instead dropped a pass to Jenny Dunn, who easily converted the ball into the far corner.
"Kelsey has been dangerous for us all season, and it is starting to pay off with goals," said Haigh. "She has stayed with it and not gotten frustrated from the first couple of games, and now she is getting goals and opportunities to score."
At the other end, Whitney Jones came up with four saves, including one diving stop in the second half.
Northwestern is back in action Friday, taking on Central Michigan at 4 p.m. at the Thomas Athletic Complex.
"It is a good sign that we are showing so much maturity out there, especially with so many young players on the field," said Haigh. "We know we will get tested a lot more as the season goes on and we get into Big Ten play."
