LIVONIA, Mich. — Gianna Witte headed home a corner kick in the 37th minute and Gabby Maldonado added an insurance goal early in the second half, and the Indiana University Northwest women's soccer team held off a late Madonna rally for a 2-1 victory Sunday.
The RedHawks came out testing Madonna goalkeeper Addison Beil early, with Erin Harrison firing a pair of shots in the opening 10 minutes. Madonna answered with quality looks of its own, as Chelsey Chambless twice tested IUN goalkeeper Riley Kain in the first four minutes, and Nadine Jawad added another shot on frame before the midway point of the half. Kain stood tall in the run of play, turning aside all three attempts to keep the match scoreless.
IUN found its breakthrough in the 37th minute. Ava Haluska swung a corner kick into the box, and Witte rose above the defense to head it home, giving the RedHawks a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
The RedHawks doubled their advantage shortly after halftime. In the 52nd minute, Erin Harrison set up Gabby Maldonado, who buried her chance to make it 2-0.
Madonna cut the deficit in the 57th minute when Marlena Ballnik scored an unassisted goal to make it 2-1, and the Marauders pushed for the equalizer over the final half hour. Chambless and Lillian Hayter each had late looks go wide, but the RedHawks defense held firm behind Kain, who finished with three saves.
IUN out-shot Madonna 10-8 for the match and held a 5-2 edge on corner kicks, with Haluska setting up four of the RedHawks' five corners. Maya Maldonado led IUN with three shots, while Erin Harrison and Gianna Witte each added multiple attempts.
With the win, Indiana Northwest improved to 2-0-0 on the season, closing out opening weekend with a strong start. The RedHawks hit the road once again, traveling back to Michigan to face No. 21 Spring Arbor. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. EDT in Spring Arbor, Michigan.
