HAMMOND, Ind. – After a year-and-a-half hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Purdue Northwest women's soccer team returned to the pitch in Friday's season opener against Northwood at Dowling Park. The visiting Timberwolves won 2-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference battle.
 
Northwood scored twice in the second half with goals coming in the 55th and 78th minute. NU's Juliana Paoletti netted the game-winner on a low cross from the right side of the box. Jessica Piper recorded the second goal for the visitors.
 
Haneen Abdulla led PNW with two shots as the Pride totaled five overall attempts and three shots on goal. Both teams registered three shots in the second half. NU finished with five corner kicks while PNW had none.
 
PNW head coach Jake Truty used both sophomore goalkeepers in the contest. Bridget Grady got the start in net and logged three saves in the first half. Leonie Heck took over between the pipes in the second half.

The first match of the spring campaign saw 18 Pride players take the field with freshmen Allison Zimmer and Baylee Byford in the starting lineup. Four others made their PNW debut including Camille Schafer, Lauryn Tillmon, Colleen Harley and Rozlyn Mehall.
 
NEXT UP
PNW hosts Ferris State on Sunday afternoon at noon CDT. The match will be streamed live on JEDtv.com and tickets are available at the box office on game day.