TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women's soccer team earned a 4-1 victory over Northwest Missouri State Friday night at DeLoache Field.
 
The contest was the MIAA opener for both programs, and the RiverHawks improved to 6-1 on the season and 1-0 in the conference. The Bearcats slipped to 1-3-2 overall and 0-1 in the league.
 
NSU was led by a career night from junior forward Anastasia Robinson, who scored twice and assisted on the other two goals to notch a career-high six points.
 
Robinson's first goal came in the eight minute, when her shot from the top left of the box floated over the keeper and caromed past the line off the crossbar.
 
She then sent two perfect crosses into the box from the left flank that led to goals in the 15th and 17th minutes, respectively. Sophomore midfielder Julia Mathis netted the first goal, which would become the game-winning strike, and the second was scored by junior midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe.
 
Robinson added an insurance marker in the 49th minute when her shot from about 35 yards out sailed over the keeper's head and into the back of the net.
 
The Bearcats were able to avoid the shutout with a goal in the 79th minute, but they would not get any closer to NSU.
 
Junior goalkeeper Jordan Woodruff (6-1) registered her school-record 29th career win after saving five shots and allowing just the one goal. NWMSU keeper Ashley Malloy (1-3-2) suffered the loss after making 11 saves and conceding four times.
 
This is the fifth time through seven matches that Northeastern State has forced an opposing goalkeeper to make double-digit saves.
 
Northeastern State outshot Northwest Missouri State 21-6 and led 4-2 in corner kicks.
 
The RiverHawks remain home for a tough test at 1 p.m. Sept. 27 against Missouri Western State.
 
Scoring Summary
NWMSU          0          1          –          1
NSU                 3          1          –          4
 
Individual Scoring
Anastasia Robinson (NSU) at 7:11 (Julia Mathis)
Julia Mathis (NSU) at 14:09 (Anastasia Robinson)
Jennifer Cudjoe (NSU) at 16:41 (Anastasia Robinson)
Anastasia Robinson (NSU) at 48:09 (Kelsey McIntyre)
Elizabeth Finn (NWMSU) at 78:27 (Katelynn Lindsey)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Ashley Malloy (NWMSU) – 11
Jordan Woodruff (NSU) – 5
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH CHASE WOOTEN
On starting MIAA play with a victory…
"It was one of those matches where the things we talked about in the locker room we applied really well to the game field once the whistle blew. We got off to a good start, which is something we've struggled with this season. Sometimes we'll have really good second halves and iffy first halves. I think certainly to start off 1-0 in conference play was critical for us, so that part feels really good."
 
On ball movement…
"To be fair we worked on things this week about where recognizing where space was and trying to play through it. We only had two sessions going in. Thursday was a very light session for us. On Tuesday and Wednesday we are on point for what we thought Northwest would bring and so I thought we adapted pretty well. In the big picture, I think we just had a good game. We started well and it didn't take a long time to get going, which was good. Then we turned around from there and were able to save some legs and put some players in to try and space ourselves for Sunday (against Missouri Western State)."
 
On Anastasia Robinson…
"What's helpful for us is she's making a difference on assists, too. She's certainly gotten some goals, which is fine, she does a good job there. Now she's starting to work better with her teammates and getting balls back across the face of the goal, which anybody can finish. So it's not so much one individual, it's more about how they play as a group. When they're clicking together and learning where their teammates will be, we'll surely be more difficult to deal with."
 
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