Purdue Northwest Upsets St. Francis for First CCAC Win
Behind two goals from junior forward Shayla McNeal, the Purdue University Northwest women’s soccer team defeated visiting St. Francis (Ill.), 2-1, to capture the Pride’s first conference victory Monday.
PNW (3-7, 1-4 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference) topped the Fighting Saints (5-4-1, 4-2) to hand them their second CCAC loss of the season at Dowling Park’s Pepsi Field, as the victory also gave first-year head coach Danielle Foxhoven her first league win.
McNeal (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) teamed up with senior Iridiana Mendoza (West Chicago, Ill./Community) for both goals — and both in the first half — as she struck first in the 16’ when Mendoza delivered a long ball ahead from midfield.
McNeal beat the USF defense and finished left to put the Pride on the board first, but USF would answer just six minutes later on a laser shot by Casey Harris that edged under the crossbar to tie it at 1-all.
But Mendoza and McNeal would connect once again in the 30’ as Mendoza found her teammate ahead for a 1-v-1 opportunity and McNeal took advantage, delivering the ball to the keeper’s right to give PNW a 2-1 lead at half.
Despite playing a man down most of the second half, the PNW defense — led by Lauren McElroy (Okeana, Ohio/Harrison), Rachel Inglese (Crown Point, Ind./Lake Central), and Marisa Jayne (Hartland, Mich./Hartland stepped up late, holding the Saints scoreless for the final 45 despite being outshot, 22-9, and with a corner kick margin of 6-0.
PNW sophomore keeper Lucie Ashmore (Greystones, Ireland/St. Gerard’s School) held her own in goal, stopping eight USF shots to preserve the victory.
Purdue Northwest returns to action Saturday, Oct. 8, when the Pride travel to Elgin, Ill., for a league matchup at Judson.
Mudd, Bryzcki Lead Purdue Northwest to Troll Classic Title Patrick Mudd and Brian Bryzcki captured the top two spots to help lead the Purdue University Northwest men’s golf team to its second team title of the season, as PNW won the six-squad Troll Classic Monday.
Mudd (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) tied his season-low 18-hole round of 71 and Bryzcki carded a career-low 74 to finish 1-2 in the event and help propel the Pride to a team score of 300 — which stands as the third-best round in program history.
Sophomore Ryan Wells (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central) wasn’t far behind with a 76 to place tied for fourth and freshman Aaron Skibinski (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) rounded out PNW’s scoring with a 79 (tied for 14th), as all four scoring golfers broke 80 for the first time this season.
Junior Joshua Jackowski (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central) also had a solid round, scoring an 80 to place 17th in the 33-golfer field.
PNW edged St. Francis (Ill.) for the team title by four strokes (304), and host Trinity Christian placed third with a 319.
The Pride return to action this Thursday, as PNW hosts the annual Mike Lalaeff Memorial Invitational Oct. 6-7 at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point, Ind.
Lauren Bailey Paces Purdue Northwest at Troll Classic The Purdue University Northwest women’s golf team finished just behind Robert Morris to place second at the Trinity International Troll Classic Monday afternoon, held at Calumet Country Club.
The Pride finished with an overall team score of 378, while the champion Eagles notched a 366 team score. The 378 was the top 18-hole score for PNW this season.
Freshman Lauren Bailey (Wanatah, Ind./Lacrosse) led the way for the Black and Gold, shooting a team-high 87 to give her a third place finish on the day, while classmate Darian Smith (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores) finished just behind with a 90, finishing fourth.
Meaghan Spalla (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) notched a 97, Cassidy Deno (Otterbein, Ind./Benton Central) recorded a 104 and Jenna Gericke (Highland, Ind./Highland) rounded out the Top 5 for the Pride with a 122.
Maggie Sloan (80) and Pia Serrano (82) earned the top two spots in the Troll Classic, which helped pave the way for Robert Morris.
Purdue Northwest returns to the course on Thursday, Oct. 6, when the Pride kick off the opening round of the Mike Lalaeff Memorial Invitational at White Hawk Country Club at 9 a.m. (CT).
