Photo credit: Cover photo - Virginia Smith, Inside Story Image - Lydia Patton
CHICAGO, Ill. – Despite getting out shot 13-3 in the first half, the North Park University women's soccer team was able to use a gritty second half to gain a 1-1 draw with Aurora University in the opening game of their 2021 fall season. Clara Wernbo equalized the game in the 53rd minute of play, and nobody was able to find a winner after the remaining time of regulation plus twenty minutes of OT.
Starting keeper Campbelle Hunt broke out the gloves early in her first career collegiate start making a handful of saves to keep the Spartans off the board in the first twenty minutes of action. Hunt finished with eight saves on the night. Aurora broke through in the 21st minutes, however, when a corner kicked in by Tatum Summerfield was knocked around in the box before Lauren Bliefernicht was finally able to corral the ball over the goal line for a 1-0 Spartans lead.
Coach Emma Woodley said the right things to the team at halftime, though, as the Vikings had more corners and shots in the second half than the Spartans as well as forcing Aurora keeper Kelsey Deck into making four saves. Wernbo finally broke through on a tremendous run splitting through the Spartans defense and tapping a neat finish past Deck and into the bottom right corner of the goal. Both teams had opportunities in the final stages of the game, but nobody could crack the scoring sheet the rest of the game and it ended in a draw.
Quick Hits:
- Ida Elise Hjelle and Ellie Dash both had two shots on goal to lead North Park
- Hunt had eight saves and only allowed one goal in 110 minutes between the pipes
- Wernbo scored the 11th goal of her NPU career
What's Next?
The Vikings (0-0-1) stay at home this Friday, September 3, when they host the Regents of Rockford University (0-0) at the Holmgren Athletic Complex. Kickoff is set for 5 pm.
