Monday, October 17, 2022

PORTLAND, Ore. – Northwest Nazarene has been flying high lately, stringing together four straight wins and securing its spot in the 2022 GNAC Championships. Last week, the Nighthawks found the back of the net seven times on the way to a pair of shutout wins and earned GNAC Team of the Week honors.

Northwest Nazarene started its week on Thursday with a dominant 5-0 win over Western Oregon in Nampa. The Nighthawks scored early and often. Madison Grande tallied her eighth goal of the season in the 10th minute, followed by Ashley Parton’s eighth of the year just three minutes later. Alejandra Jaramillo netted the third goal of the match in the 19th minute to give  NNU a three-goal advantage heading into halftime.

In the second half, Parton secured her second brace in as many weeks with another goal in the 53rd minute and Sierra Sanchez rounded out the scoring for Northwest Nazarene with the fifth and final goal of the match.

The Nighthawks outshot the Wolves 16-7, allowing only four on goal from WOU. Alexis Montoya started in net, making two saves over 72 minutes before handing off to Bailey Blancett who also made a pair of saves to finish the match.

Northwest Nazarene capped off its homestand with a 2-0 win over Saint Martin’s on Saturday where the Nighthawks were in complete control. The Nighthawks outshot the Saints 21-4, only allowing two shots on goal while putting 10 on frame themselves.

The NNU defense allowed only one shot through the first 45 minutes while the offense netted two goals in nine minutes. Savanna Herz scored the game-winner in the 11th minute off an assist from Magda Wronski and Makayla Roggow tagged on an insurance marker in the 19th minute from yet another Wronski assist. Both goals came from corner kicks that Wronski took for the Nighthawks.

Wronski was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week for her role in shutting down opponents in the pair of shutout wins as well as contributing offensively with three assists. She now leads the conference with six assists.

Saturday’s win brings Northwest Nazarene’s current unbeaten streak to 12 matches, with its last loss coming on August 27 against Holy Names. Since then, the Nighthawks have outscored opponents 28-4 and have not allowed a goal in eight straight matches.

Head coach Mary Ybarguen is pleased with how the last conference homestand played out and how the senior players have performed.

“It was great for our team to end our regular season home games undefeated at home,” Ybarguen said. “Our fifth-year seniors have done a great job leading this group and clinching playoffs.”

She also pointed to the reliable play the team has shown as a strength for the Nighthawks going forward.

“We’re excited to host GNACs and for our four road games left. Our team has faced adversity this fall and has remained steady,” Ybarguen said.

Northwest Nazarene’s season will continue on Thursday when it hits the road to take on nationally ranked rivals Western Washington in Bellingham. It will be the second time the two teams face each other this season, with the previous match ending in a 0-0 tie in Nampa.