In their second CCIW match of the season, the Augustana women’s soccer team defeated North Central 3-0. With the win, the team moved to 1-0-1 in conference play. It was their first victory over North Central since 2015.
The Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute on a goal from sophomore Karissa Gottardo and didn’t look back from there. The team scored again: this time on a penalty kick from senior captain Jordyn Sunberg in the 55th minute. They added their final tally in the 62nd minute on a goal from sophomore Grace Sigler.
Sunberg explained how her goal and the final goal gave her team confidence.
“Having that second one I think really pushed [us] to the next step and we were like, ‘Okay, it’s ours.’ And getting that third one, we knew they were done,” Sunberg said.
It was a physical match that saw 14 fouls between the two teams. Senior captain Abby Wendell said it was Augustana’s ability to match North Central’s physicality that allowed them to gain momentum and eventually take the lead.
“They were physical, and we were physical right back and we didn’t let it get to us,” Wendell said. “You can tell that everyone walked off this field with bruises, but I’m sure they walked off with just as many, so it was definitely a good battle.”
With the team off to one of its best starts in recent years, head coach Scott Mejia explained that the team has been able to use losses from previous years as motivation. Their match against North Central was no different.
“North Central has ruined our plans the past couple of years, so I think the girls definitely wanted to come out and send a message, not only to North Central, but to the league,” Mejia said. “You could see that in their attitude and in their approach to the game. We played with much more energy today and just a higher degree of passion.”
The team is now entering the bulk of their CCIW schedule, traveling to Wheaton College on Oct. 5 and Millikin University on Oct. 13. With a goal of reaching the CCIW tournament in mind, the team is hoping to fine-tune small details of their game.
“Sometimes, our mentalities are what mess us up during the game if we hear that they’re not as strong an opponent as they used to be. [Our goal is] switching that mindset and being able to step on this field every single time and make it a battle and not make it easier on the opponent,” Wendell said.
The team’s next home match will be on Wednesday, Oct. 17 against Illinois Wesleyan.
Photo Above: Augustana College second-year Jenna Dvorak defends the ball from North Central second-year Nicole Durkee during their game on Wednesday. Augustana won 3-0.