ALLENDALE, Mich. – Maryville women's soccer is moving on in the NCAA Tournament after defeating the Northwood Timberwolves 1-0 in the first round. The lone goal of the contest came in the 84th minute with
Elsa Nilson-Hurtig being credited with the game winner. The game took place on the GVSU Soccer Field on the campus of Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich.
The Saints are set to face off against No. 8-seeded Cedarville which advanced via PKs over top-seed and host Grand Valley State.
HOW IT HAPPENED
With colder temperatures finally setting in, the first half saw a feeling out period for both teams.
Carissa Speight got the Saints going early with a shot in the second minute of play, with
Gina Catanzaro's attempt in the fifth minute going on frame but being saved for the first shot on goal of the day for either squad.
Starting in goal for the first time in her career,
Sophia Sulawske made her first save in the 25th minute, adding another in the 44th minute.
Maryville kept applying pressure throughout the midfield, taking nine more shots before half's end, but the score remained knotted at 0-0.
Out of the break,
Sophia Carter took a dangerous attempt in the 53rd minute of play, with the Northwood keeper making a big save to keep it tied. Just as in the first half, Maryville dominated possession, with the Saints drawing a penalty in the 78th minute that missed the mark left of goal.
A corner in the 83rd set up a prime chance for the Saints. Catanzaro sent the ball perfectly into the center of the box, with Nilson-Hurtig heading it into the back of the net for what became the game winner.
Overall, Maryville outshot Northwood 19-6 with 10 corners taken in the contest, all for MU.
UP NEXT
Maryville plays in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, facing No. 8 Cedarville Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. CT on the Grand Valley State University campus.
