NDSU Edges Out Western Illinois

Before the start of the soccer game on Friday, North Dakota State was under .500 and the Western Illinois Leathernecks were undefeated in the Summit League. This changed after the two teams played at the Ellig Sports Complex Friday.

The Bison scored with their second shot of the game 23 minutes into the first half. Senior midfielder Jordyn Wallenborn scored on a header from an assist from sophomore forward Anisha Kinnarath. This was Wallenborn’s fourth goal this season. Then three minutes later, the Bison furthered their lead when junior midfielder Steph Jacobson took a shot that was blocked by WIU’s Laura Atkinson, but Jacobson shot it right back and scored the Bison’s second goal of the game and her third goal of the season.

The Bison’s defense shut out the Leathernecks in the first half, led by redshirt freshman goalkeeper Sierra Bonham, who had four saves in the game. After halftime, the Leathernecks were assertive right out of the gate and broke through for their first goal five minutes into the second half of the game. WIU’s Jordan Walgren got one past Bonham and scored off the assist Katie Condon, making the score 2-1. Despite the lead, NDSU stayed very aggressive and ended the game with five more shots on goal than WIU, led by Kinnarath’s four.

In spite of this, defenses for both teams stayed stout and didn’t give up a score for the rest of the game. This left the final at 2-1, giving NDSU the win and snapping their two game losing streak.