Contact: Emily Zadny, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Box Score

Sept. 23, 2017 - Battling temperatures in the low-90's and a daunting deficit going into halftime, the North Central College women's soccer team suffered a 2-3 loss against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point despite tenacious play on Saturday afternoon at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

The Pointers were not going to wait for the Cardinals to make the first move as Francesca Hamilton scored the first goal of the game off of an assist from Maddy Handyman in the 14th minute. Two minutes later, Hamilton would find open space and the back of the net, extending Stevens Point's lead 2-0.

The Cardinals hoped to get on the board with shots from Taylor Piggott and Catherine Kent, but Pointer goalkeeper Sarah Peplinski was right there to make the saves.
With clear momentum, the Pointers made the game 3-0 in the 30th minute with a goal from Meaghan Ambelang.

As the temperature continued to climb above 90 degrees, the Cardinals were feeling the heat to get something going on offense in the second half. In the 45th minute, Kent quickly found an open Anna Brodjian in perfect position to put it in the back of the net and help the Cardinals get back in the game.

In the 57th minute, Kent would again do her part to help bring her team within striking distance, connecting with Brodjian who made a well-placed shot to cut the score 2-3.
Unfortunately for North Central, the Pointers' defense was not going to give up the lead and ultimately held in for the win.

Despite the temperature and trailing early, head coach Andrew Gamarra praised his team for staying in the thick of it for the entire 90 minutes. Both teams took 11 shots and recorded three saves.

"We could have just gave quit after the first half, but we made it a game," said Gamarra. "We had a nice comeback and the girls didn't give up."

Brodjian and Kent paced the Cardinals with two goals and two assists, respectively. Taylor Piggott led the team with three shots while Lexi Dimovski and Deja Simpson had two.
On the defensive end, Fisher recorded a single-game best three saves on 11 shots and the backline helped keep the game as close as it was, led by Rachel Kolling with her 90-minutes of solid defense.

The Cardinals (3-4-1) host Benedictine University on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7 P.M. A link to live in-game coverage can be found HERE.