Contact: Taiah Gallisath-Poklop, Associate Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5302
Nov. 7, 2026 – The North Central College women's soccer team battled through 110 minutes of action against Elmhurst University Saturday afternoon, playing to a 1-1 draw before the Bluejays edged the Cardinals in a penalty shootout at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
North Central (15-0-2) and Elmhurst (13-4-2) opened the contest with a balanced attacking effort, trading possession and opportunities throughout the first half. The Cardinals generated several promising chances, including a set-piece opportunity from
Madison DeVriendt that was cleared off the goal line by an Elmhurst defender. North Central picked up the pace as the half progressed, outshooting the Bluejays, 8-4, but neither side found the back of the net before halftime.
The Cardinals continued to apply pressure coming out of the break, and their efforts paid off in the 53rd minute. Following a corner kick, DeVriendt delivered the ball into the box, where Baylee Burbidge connected with a header and buried it in the back of the net to give North Central a 1-0 advantage at the 52:41 mark.
Elmhurst responded just over six minutes later, with Lauren Nevins finding the equalizer in the 59th minute to even the score at 1-1.
North Central continued to create opportunities throughout the remainder of regulation, finishing the second half with an 11-4 advantage in shots. Neither team found a go-ahead goal in the final minutes, sending the contest into overtime.
Both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock during the two 10-minute overtime periods, but the defenses held firm, forcing the match to be decided by penalty kicks.
In the shootout, North Central converted three of its seven attempts, with Reese Anderson, Sissi Loza and Burbidge finding the back of the net. Elmhurst matched the Cardinals through the first five rounds before both teams missed their sixth attempts. After North Central was unable to convert its seventh attempt, Anna Norstrom scored for the Bluejays to secure the shootout victory.
North Central finished the afternoon with a 20-12 advantage in shots and an 11-6 edge in corner kicks. DeVriendt led the Cardinals with four shots, including two on goal, while Emma Megerle recorded two saves in goal.
The NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship Selection Show is scheduled to air Monday, Nov. 9, at 10:30 a.m. on NCAA.org.
