WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Northeastern State women's soccer team defeated No. 8-ranked Central Missouri 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Jennies Field.
 
The RiverHawks (11-3, 6-2 MIAA) snapped UCM's 17-match home win streak that dated back to Nov. 5, 2013, and defeated a team that advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals last year. This was the first time NSU defeated a ranked opponent since Oct. 19, 2004 (No. 18 Texas A&M-Commerce), and this was also the highest-ranked team NSU has ever defeated in school history.

This was the first time the Jennies (12-2, 6-2 MIAA) had been shutout this year, and it was the first victory for the RiverHawks over UCM since 1998.
 
The victory moves Northeastern State into a tie with Central Missouri for first place at the top of the MIAA standings. Both sides have 18 points with three league matches remaining in the season.
 
The Jennies came out on the attack in Sunday's match, as they attempted four shots on goal in the first 21 minutes of the contest. NSU wasn't able to launch a single shot on goal the entire first half. Northeastern State, behind four first-half saves by junior goalkeeper Jordan Woodruff, fended off the attack and was able to keep the match scoreless at intermission.

NSU's first shot on goal came in the 52nd minute by senior midfielder McKenzie Musella. NSU's second shot on goal wouldn't come until the 81st minute by junior midfielder Rachel Gleason. However, two shots on goal proved to be all the RiverHawks needed as Gleason's shot sailed past fallen UCM goalkeeper Ana Dilkes and into the back of the net. Junior midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe picked up the assist on Gleason's third goal of the year.
 
Woodruff (11-3) made a season-high seven saves and recorded her fifth shutout of the year. UCM's Ana Dilkes (12-2) suffered the loss after saving one shot and conceding the lone goal of the match.
 
Woodruff extended her own school records with her 34th career victory in net and her 19th career clean sheet.
 
The RiverHawks will next be in action at 1 p.m. Oct. 23 against Southwest Baptist. The non-conference tilt will be held at DeLoache Field.
 
Scoring Summary
NSU                 0          1          –          1
UCM                0          0          –          0
 
Individual Scoring
Rachel Gleason (NSU) at 80:40 (Jennifer Cudjoe)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Jordan Woodruff (NSU) – 7
Ana Dilkes (UCM) – 1
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH CHASE WOOTEN
Statement…
"I would say based on what an incomplete game we played on Friday (in a 2-1 loss at Lindenwood), I thought we did a good job of recovering. That's what allowed us to play against an opponent with a pedigree like UCM. We had to survive their attack, compete for balls, and make the most of our chances. Jordan made four or five great saves and the team, especially Jennifer Cudjoe and Lauren Wagner, cleared a lot of balls off the line. (Emily) Burch played really well as did both Gleason's (Rebecca and Rachel). We think we're a really good side and we proved that today. We went out there and accomplished what we wanted to accomplish."
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-