Huge Win over Northwest Christian

Women's Soccer - Redding,CA (10/12/2007)

Red Hawks’ shots that went wide earlier in the year have started to find the back of the net.

Just in time for some key league games.

The Simpson University women’s soccer team got an offensive surge to beat visiting Northwest Christian College 4-1 Thursday at the Redding Soccer Park.

Freshmen forwards Courtney Opie and Jordan England scored within five minutes of each other to give the Red Hawks (3-10) a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.

After the Eagles cut things to 2-1 five minutes into the second half, it took Simpson midfielder Heather Perez two minutes to answer. Reserve forward Mariya Kemp added the final goal.

“It was like a curse was lifted from us,” Red Hawks sweeper Rachelle Jones said. “Before, we always seemed to hit a crossbar to have the ball go just wide.”

After a difficult early season schedule, Simpson now has won two straight.

The Red Hawks opened California Pacific Conference play Tuesday with a 2-0 victory at William Jessup. While Northwest Christian is a non-league game, it still adds momentum for Simpson’s Saturday date at Menlo.

“We still have most of our league season left,” Red Hawks coach Mark Starr said. “We have never beaten Menlo, but I think we might have the team to do it this year. If we can get a win there, then we’ll be in good shape.”

Simpson’s offense is starting to round into form.

Right midfielder Karissa Hansen hit a nice cross to a center, which Opie right-footed past Eagles goalkeeper Bethany McAlister in the 23rd minute. Then, Perez would hit a cross from the left side which England booted into the right side of the net in the 28th minute.

“We’ve been working the ball to the outside more of late,” Opie said. “We are also a lot calmer about our play. Earlier in the season, we struggled to get familiar with each other, but we’re more comfortable now.”

The Eagles’ Jenelle Fisher scored in the 50th minute when Red Hawks keeper Sarah Lillie misplayed a free kick. She attempted to punch the ball over the net, but it bounced off the crossbar and straight to Fisher.

Undeterred, the Red Hawks were soon back on the attack.

Two minutes later, Hansen was crossing the ball in from the right side again. This time, there was a brief scrum before the ball was kicked out to the top of the box. Perez beat two Northwest players to the ball and hit a shot over a leaping McAlister. The ball bounced off the crossbar, but rebounded off McAlister’s back into the net.

 

-www.redding.com