Minneapolis, Minn.-- The North Central University Women's Soccer team defeated Finlandia University 9-1 Tuesday afternoon during the first ever regular season game at Elliot Park Field in downtown Minneapolis.
The Rams impressed a large crowd of North Central fans from the beginning kick-off, to earn head coach Andrew Cameron his first collegiate victory.
Freshman Abby Schwinden (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) scored the first ever Rams goal on the new downtown pitch, as she connected with the back of the net off of a pass from junior Kate Nygren (Northfield, Minn./Northfield) in the games eighth minute.
After an own goal by Finlandia University (Hancock, Mich.) in the ninth minute, junior Dakotah Sparrman (Apple Valley, Minn./U of Ark-Little Rock) connected on her first of four goals in the contest off of a pass from Schwinden.
It didn't take long for Sparrman to strike again, this time scoring off of a pass from junior Morgan Freitag (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North).
After helping her teammate score earlier in the match, Kate Nygren finished a goal of her own in the 15th minute off of a pass from Sparrman.
The Rams continued to show off their offensive fire power as they scored seven first half goals. The sixth goal was scored by Sparrman to complete her first half hat trick. And then in the 40th minute, freshman Katie Knitt (Butte Des Morts, Wis./Winneconne) scored her first collegiate goal off of a pass from junior Rachael Chant (Shakopee, Minn./Bethany Academy).
After taking a 7-0 lead into the halftime break, Sparrman took little time to connect on her fourth goal of the contest. The junior was playing in her first match in a North Central kit, after transferring from the University of Arkansas- Little Rock.
The Lions (0-2) struck for their lone goal of the game in the 62nd minute before Rachael Chant connected on her first collegiate goal in the 87th minute to complete a 9-1 victory for the Rams.
North Central out shot Finlandia 32-6 in the match as goal keeper Heather Campbell (Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd) made three saves on four shots on goal for the Lady Rams.
The NCU Women's soccer team continues action on Thursday as they travel to Saint Paul, Minnesota to take on Bethel University (St. Paul, Minn.). The contest begins at 5 p.m. at Ona Orth Athletic Complex.
