Contact: Rachel Balinao, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant, rabalinao@noctrl.edu

KENOSHA, Wis. (Oct. 18, 2025) - The North Central College women's soccer team traveled to Carthage College on Saturday night and returned home with a 4-0 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) win. With the victory, the Cardinals improve to 5-0 in conference action and 10-5 overall. 

North Central came out strong from the opening whistle, quickly creating pressure in the attacking third. A shot from Victoria Jaimes forced Firebird goalkeeper Ainsley Stallworth to tip the ball over the crossbar, earning the Cardinals their first corner of the match. 

The Cardinals continued to apply pressure as Kara Waishwell fired off two close-range shots in the 29th and 23rd minutes, both saved by Stallworth. On the other end, Carthage attempted to respond with a chance inside the box, but North Central goalkeeper Lily Mattison denied the ball with a low save to her left before the Cardinals cleared the ball out of their box.

With just five minutes remaining in the half, North Central broke through. Lucy Burk drove down the sideline and sent a cross into the box, finding Reese Anderson running through, who slotted the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. 

The Cardinals struck again right before halftime, with under two minutes to play, Cydnie Bayless found Burk out wide to beat her defender on the dribble and deliver a cross through the Carthage back line. Waishwell's initial shot was saved by Stallworth, but she followed up her rebound to double the lead, sending North Central up 2-0.

After holding a 55-45 possession lead in the first half, the Cardinals wasted no time extending their lead. Just three minutes into the second half, Gabriella Mattio capitalized on a misplayed pass from the Carthage back line, winning the ball and finishing a one-on-one opportunity in the lower right corner to make it 3-0.

North Central continued to control play and added one final goal at the 39th minute. Off a corner from Yazmin Martinez, Carthage was unable to clear the ball cleanly, allowing Waishwell to collect the loose ball and deliver a powerful half-volley from twenty yards out to secure the 4-0 victory. 

Waishwell finished the night with two goals, her third and fourth of the season, while Anderson claimed her second and Mattio recorded her third. Lucy Burk added her third assist of the year. 

Mattison anchored the Cardinals defensively, making four saves to record her tenth win of the season. North Central outshot Carthage 24-9, including 13-4 in shots on goal.

North Central continues the road stretch on Wednesday, Oct. 22, traveling to Bloomington Illinois to face Illinois Wesleyan at 7 p.m. at Neis Field.