TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women's soccer team set a new school record in Friday night's 7-0 season-opening victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State at DeLoache Field.
 
The RiverHawks (1-0) scored all seven goals in the second half to set a new school record for most goals in one half. The goal total also tied for second most in a single game in school history and was the most scored in a game since a 9-0 win over Centenary on Sept. 10, 2011.
 
NSU outshot the Rangers (0-1) by a 17-2 margin in the first half but was unable to find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes.
 
It took just 36 seconds into the second half for the goal spree to begin. Sophomore Melissa Giles was the first to get on the board, and she would later add a second goal in the 52nd minute. Between her goals came a strike from junior Kelsey McIntyre in the 50th minute.
 
Sophomore Morgan Kent then went back-to-back with goals in the 68th and 70th minutes, and sophomore Madi Logsdon scored the sixth goal of the game on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute. Sophomore Madison Dobbs closed proceedings when she found the back of the net in the 76th minute.
 
Junior Jordan Woodruff and redshirt freshman Meg Smith combined for the shutout, with neither keeper having to make a save. Woodruff played the first 67:52 and Smith closed out the final 22:08 in her first action wearing the green and white.
 
The RiverHawks outshot Northwestern Oklahoma State 40-3. The last time NSU attempted at least 40 shots in a single game was when the team had 44 against NWOSU on Sept. 19, 2013.
 
Northeastern State returns to action when the team welcomes Oklahoma Christian at 3 p.m. Sept. 6.
 
Scoring Summary
NWOSU           0          0          –          0
NSU                 0          7          –          7
 
Individual Scoring
Melissa Giles (NSU) at 45:36 (Julia Mathis)
Kelsey McIntyre (NSU) at 49:02 (McKenzie Musella)
Melissa Giles (NSU) at 51:41 (Julia Mathis)
Morgan Kent (NSU) at 67:52 (Kelsey McIntyre)
Morgan Kent (NSU) at 69:42 (Madilyn Payne)
Madi Logsdon (NSU) at 72:54 (penalty kick)
Madison Dobbs (NSU) at 75:20 (Madilyn Payne)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Briana Legaspi (NWOSU) – 16
Jordan Woodruff (NSU) – 0
Meg Smith (NSU) – 0
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH CHASE WOOTEN
On the differences between the two halves…
"I think in the first half we didn't apply the things we talked about in pregame, and it was pretty evident. We talked about pressing certain areas, we talked about completing early passes, and we talked about finishing things on frame and we just couldn't get it done. We just kept stubbing our own toe. To (Northwestern's) credit, they hung really tough and I think the heat and time kind of wore on them a little bit. We were able to substitute some fresh legs in there that were a breath of fresh air. In the second half I think all the things we were frustrated with in the first half tidied up a little bit. We were making better runs to goal and we were making the goalkeeper make save after save which was good pressure. We completed earlier passes, which allowed us to build numbers and be inclusive with our attack. It was a good second half for us. That's a lot of goals for one half. Not something that's by design obviously but some bounces went our way."
 
On the positives of starting the season with a win…
"Last year's game was just a different set of circumstances. These were two different teams. It was super windy and we didn't show up to play. (Northwestern) came to play and they laid it on us. We deserved to lose a year ago. That motivated us for going into this game. At halftime I was just wondering if our team was going to show up and get it going. It's not that we didn't think we could, it's just that at some point you've got to apply it. I'd say 1-0, 0-1, it's a long year so I can't forecast how the rest of the year is going to go, but it was a nice start."
 
On any surprise performances…
"I thought everybody played pretty darn well. As far as a true standout, I think we were pretty steady in the back group. I don't know that individually there was a superstar. I think we put away the game once we cradled them in the second 45 minutes and I think people played up to their level."
 
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