MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University women's soccer team (3-2-3, 1-1-0 MIAA) pulled off a late-game comeback to defeat the Northeastern State University RiverHawks, 2-1, on Senior day Sunday.
With only 16 minutes remaining,
Ekaterina Theoharidis and
Makenna West each netted goals to seal the victory for Northwest.
NSU (6-2-0, 0-2-0 MIAA) came into this week two spots ahead of Northwest in the United Soccer Coaches' Central Region poll, only with a loss to No. 9 Central Missouri earlier in the week.
Both teams played a tight defensive game throughout the first half, but Northeastern State broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Kaylee Foster's corner kick connected with Brynn Baldon for a goal. Moments later, a free kick from
Moira Franck nearly leveled the score, but her long-range strike ricocheted off the post, leaving Northwest behind 1-0 at the half.
The RiverHawks dominated the first half offensively, outshooting the Bearcats 10-to-4, including a 7-to-0 advantage in shots on goal. Bearcat goalkeeper
Lily Ellis made six saves in the opening 45 minutes.
In the second half, Northwest took on a more aggressive style, and it paid off. Theoharidis netted the equalizer in the 74th minute, with an assist from West – Theoharidis' fourth of the season. Just before the 87th minute, the roles reversed as Theoharidis set up West for the game-winning goal, completing the Bearcats' 2-1 comeback. With that goal, West notched her first collegiate goal.
Despite being outshot 18-to-16 (12-to-9 on goal) for the match, Northwest took advantage of key moments and limited its mistakes. Ellis finished with 11 saves, boosting her career total to 215, also moving her to No. 4 in Northwest's all-time saves list, surpassing Ashley Malloy (2014-17).
Career Saves
1. 394 - Kelsey Adams, 2010-13
2. 339 - Kathie Leach, 1999-01
3. 306 - Alison Sheridan, 2003-06
4. 212 – Lily Ellis, 2022-pres.
5. 204 - Ashley Malloy, 2014-17
6. 196 - Kira Lazenby, 2008-09
7. 174 - Alexis Serna Castillo, 2018-21
8. 156 - Michelle Goold, 2002, 04-05
9. 108 - Danielle Lawless, 2001-03
10. 77 - Ashley Williams, 2020-21
Northwest preps for a pair of road MIAA matchups in Central Oklahoma (Oct. 4) and Newman (Oct. 6) this week.