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Box Score

Sept. 5, 2018 - Playing in front of their home crowd for the first time all season, the North Central women's soccer team defeated the University of Dubuque Spartans 2-0 to earn their second consecutive shutout.

Ominous storm clouds sat over Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium for the duration of the game, threatening to put a damper on their opener. Although lightning forced the teams off the field just a few minutes into play, the game was able to continue without any further hiccups — besides rain falling sporadically on players and spectators.

"It's always nice to get off to the right start at home. The delay certainly made things interesting. Our team did a great job during the break and stayed engaged and ready. With young teams that is always a challenge, but our group rises to the occasion," said head coach Andrew Gamarra.

The bulk of the game's action came in the final 15 minutes. In the 76th minute, Lexi Dimovski wove her way around defenders and ripped a shot from the edge of the box that bounced off the post. Five minutes later, Mary Herra gave the visitors their best scoring chance of the day, blasting a shot above Cardinal goalkeeper that similarly clanked off the crossbar.

Dimovski got a shot at redemption in the 85th minute, and this time she would not be denied. Allyson Viederis took a shot off a corner kick, which Spartan goalkeeper Victoria Roethler blocked, but failed to secure it. Dimovski was able to head the ball past Roethler, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead with just minutes left.

Dimovski struck again a couple minutes later, all but sealing the deal. In the midst of a chaotic North Central charge, Roethler got caught in no man's land. All of a sudden Dimovski found herself facing an unprotected goal, and the junior capitalized, elevating the Cardinals to a 2-0 lead.

Goalkeeper Madison Lockard was perfect in net, stopping all six shots she faced to earn her first victory—and shut out—as a Cardinal. She was aided by a strong defense that prevented the Spartans from registering a shot during the first half.

"Dubuque was a well-organized group and didn't give up many chances defensively. It was nice to find out that our group will continue to work and capitalize on opportunities. I was also pleased with the defensive effort on our part, which started with our forwards and went all the way back to our keeper," said Gamarra.

North Central looks to make it three wins in a row when they host the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Sunday at 3:30. Live stats can be found HERE.