CHICAGO — Mari Williams scored twice to reach 16 goals on the season, Maya Maldonado added a pair of her own, and the Indiana University Northwest women's soccer team held off a late Saint Xavier push for a 5-2 victory Tuesday at Deaton Field.
The RedHawks jumped in front in the 18th minute. Maldonado found Williams, who finished for her 15th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead. In the 26th minute, Williams returned the favor, setting up Maldonado for her eighth goal of the year. Williams capped a dominant first half in the 40th minute, finishing off an assist from Ava Haluska to make it 3-0 at the break. IUN out-shot the Cougars 18-2 over the opening 45 minutes.
Saint Xavier cut into the lead in the 57th minute, when Cami Butler scored off an assist from Karly Harkness. The RedHawks answered quickly. Haluska delivered a corner kick in the 65th minute, and Isabella Soria finished it for her fifth goal of the season to make it 4-1. Maldonado added her ninth goal in the 68th minute, set up by Eva Montes, to push the lead to 5-1.
Kaleigh Blatti was sharp when Saint Xavier pressed late, turning aside a Gema Garibay penalty kick in the 79th minute to keep the margin intact. Alexzia Garcia scored for the Cougars in the 86th minute to set the final at 5-2.
IUN finished with a 29-10 advantage in total shots and put 10 on goal. Maldonado led all players with nine shots, while Williams added seven. Blatti made four saves in the win.
With the victory, Indiana Northwest improves to 9-4-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play, moving into second place in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings. They return home Saturday, Oct. 17, to host Judson. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CDT.
