Press Release

Sept. 14, 2012

Bearcats open MIAA play with win

St. Charles, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State women’s soccer team pulled out a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Lindenwood to open up conference play Friday night.

It is becoming somewhat of a theme for Northwest to fall behind early and then pull out the win as the clock hits zero. This contest was no different.

Haley Stewart put in the only goal of the first half in the 19th minute. The rest of the first half was a battle for possession.

Lindenwood scored quick in the second half as Kirsten Crabtree scored in the 52nd minute.

The Lions were out in front 2-0 until the 60th minute when Victoria Von Mende started an offensive display rarely seen in the sport of soccer. She scored not one, not two but three goals to give her the hat trick.

Elizabeth Lee assisted her first goal in minute 60. Three minutes later Von Mende put in her second goal unassisted. Her final goal, that would turn out to be the deciding factor in the match, came in the 72nd minute with an assist from Chelsea Fournier.

For Von  Mende she now has six goals on the year. More importantly the Bearcats move to 3-1-1 this season and 1-0 in conference play.

Northwest heads to Truman State Sunday for the last MIAA meeting between the longtime rivals. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.