No. 21 Women’s Soccer Runs Unbeaten Streak to Eight with 2-0 Win over Manchester (Ind.)

By: Andrew Korba

ADA — Sophomore Sami Atkinson scored her league-leading eighth goal of the season and freshman Sandra Thorarensen added another in the Ohio Northern women's soccer team's 2-0 win over Manchester (Ind.), Tuesday afternoon at the ONU Soccer Field.

The No. 21-ranked Polar Bears are now 8-1-2 on the season, while the Spartans fall to 3-7-1.

Northern got on the board in the 29th minute when senior Alyssa Merrick passed the ball over several opposing defenders and Atkinson kicked it in for the goal. The assist was Merrick's sixth of the season, which also leads the team and the OAC.

Thorarensen then put the game away in the 88th minute with an unassisted goal off of a steal.

The Polar Bears had many other chances to score throughout the game. In the 17th minute, junior Tara Tokar headed a cross from sophomore Lauren Brown but missed high.

Later in the 57th, freshman Kristina Klusek rocketed a shot that hit the crossbar. Another opportunity presented itself in the 65th minute, when Brown took a cross from Atkinson but Manchester goalie Emily Willmann made a diving stop.

"Today was a good way to wrap up the non-conference season," head coach Mark Batman said. "I like that we created a lot of opportunities to score. This gives us a lot of confidence as we head into the conference portion of our season."

The Northern defense was tough all day and did not allow a single Spartan shot. The Polar Bears fired 27 shots on the day.

Junior goalkeeper Erin Waehner posted her fourth shutout of the season.

Ohio Northern will be in action again Saturday when they host Capital at 3:30 p.m. The game is part of Northern's Soccer Homecoming weekend and will also feature the "Kicks for a Cause" fundraiser.