NO. 4 HAWKS TOP NO. 9 OCELOTS TO SET PROGRAM RECORD FOR WINS IN A SEASON

TUCSON, Ariz. – The No. 4 Northeast Community College women's soccer team squared off with No. 9 Schoolcraft College at the 2023 NJCAA DII Women's Soccer Championship at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona Sunday. The Hawks downed the Ocelots by a final score of 2-1 to set a new program record for wins in a season with 20.

Northeast (20-1-1, 7-0-1 ICCAC) and Schoolcraft were competing against each other for the second time this season as the Hawks came out on top by a final score of 1-0 back on August 17 in the first game of the year. Northeast fell behind early for the fourth-straight game and yet again were rally back. The Hawks have now fallen behind to Iowa Lakes, Iowa Central, Johnson County and Schoolcraft in the last three weeks and have become victors in every single contest. Northeast entered halftime down 1-0 but kept spirits high and owned possession of the ball coming out of the halftime break for the majority of the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Talia Sanders (Queensland, Australia) punched in an incredible goal to equalize the matchup and Marleigh Leister (South Jordan, Utah) gave the Hawks the lead the next trip down the field as Northeast was able to completely flip the script on the entire showdown. The Northeast defense held strong and Hannah Thornell (Auckland, New Zealand) made a save with 1:34 remaining in the match as the Hawks secured their second victory in program history at the national tournament.

The Hawks will now prepare for a battle with No. 5 Jones College in what will be a win-or-go-home duel.

STAT SHEET:

Goals: Talia Sanders (Queensland, Australia), Marleigh Leister (South Jordan, Utah)

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Women's Soccer Coach Chad Miller on his team once again rallying from behind to capture a breathtaking victory:

"This team never gives up," Miller said. "They have proved over and over again how much heart they have. You never want to see a goal scored on you, but when it happens to this team there is a calmness over them. They turn around and get right back to work. It's a weird feeling, but you just know our girls will come back."

Miller on this 2023 team picking up their first victory on the national stage:

"Seeing this group get their first win at the national tournament is remarkable," Miller said. "They have done so many amazing things this year and you want to see nothing else but for them to do well on the big stage. Most wins in program history! They have earned that!"

Miller on battling No. 5 Jones next:

"I'm excited for Tuesday because Jones is one of the best teams in the nation. We are here to play the best and on Tuesday we get to do that."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will play for a trip to the semifinals against No. 5 Jones College at 6:30 p.m. CT Tuesday at the 2023 NJCAA DII Women's Soccer Championship at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

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