TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women's soccer team defeated Fort Hays State 2-1 Friday night at DeLoache Field.
 
The RiverHawks (9-2, 4-1 MIAA) picked up their fifth win in their last six outings, while also halting FHSU's recent three-match win streak. Part of the recent success for the Tigers (6-5, 3-2 MIAA) included an upset victory over then-No. 1 Central Missouri.
 
NSU had most of the possession throughout the match, but the green and white was unable to crack the FHSU defense in the first half. The home side led in first-half shots 8-2, but the two teams were knotted at 0-0 heading into halftime.
 
The visitors came out firing in the beginning of the second half and scored just 22 seconds into the second stanza. Gabriella Makatura sent a hopeful ball towards net from about 25 yards away, and it was able to sail just over the head of NSU junior goalkeeper Jordan Woodruff.
 
After falling behind 1-0, Northeastern State regrouped and continued to play on the attack. It took until the 70th minute, but the RiverHawks were finally able to pull level thanks to creativity along the left flank from junior forward Anastasia Robinson. She sent a cross into the box that landed at the feet of sophomore midfielder Julia Mathis. Mathis calmly settled the ball from just outside the top of the six-yard box and took a shot to the near post that beat the keeper to her right.
 
The game-winner came in the 83rd minute off a nifty shot from junior midfielder Kelsey McIntyre. A deflected ball was sent to her direction near the top of the 18, and she did not hesitate in sending a volleyed attempt into the net on the far right post.
 
The Tigers tried to equalize in the final minutes, but the RiverHawks were able to ice the match and secure the victory.
 
NSU outshot FHSU 25-5 and led in corner kicks 5-1. Woodruff (9-2) made a pair of saves in the winning effort. Kristen Thompson (5-4) suffered the loss despite making 12 saves.
 
Northeastern State has a quick turnaround before its next match against Nebraska-Kearney, which will be contested at 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at DeLoache Field. The Lopers will enter the contest on a high note after defeating Central Oklahoma 1-0 in Edmond, Oklahoma, earlier today.
 
Scoring Summary
FHSU               1          0          –          1
NSU                 0          2          –          2
 
Individual Scoring
Gabrielle Makatura (FHSU) at 45:22 (Cassi Moosburger)
Julia Mathis (NSU) at 69:47 (Anastasia Robinson)
Kelsey McIntyre (NSU) at 82:28 (McKenzie Musella)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Kristen Thompson (FHSU) –12
Jordan Woodruff (NSU) – 2
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH CHASE WOOTEN
On the resiliency of the team…
"We thought Fort Hays State would be really good, so we came in with a couple of agendas. We did a really good job of following what our points were in the pregame meeting, and we stayed on task all night. We competed hard as well. (FHSU) did a good job in the beginning of the second half to turn around and really take the tempo away from us unfortunately. Once (FHSU) scored that goal, it was a real character test for us. I thought we rose to the occasion and created some more opportunities. (Fort Hays) never went away. They competed hard all night, but I thought we were in for the test and we've seen some real progress. We're just happy with the night."
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-