Box Score

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Jessa Rizzo's (Fremd HS, Palatine, Ill.) goal in the 64th minute Saturday provided the margin of victory as Augustana defeated North Park 3-2 at Thorson-Lucken Field. Coach Scott Mejia's squad improved to 7-4 on the year and 1-1 in the CCIW, while the visitors fell to 2-7-1 overall and 1-3-1 in the league.
 
The hosts led 2-0 at the halftime, but North Park grabbed the momentum early in the second period. After Augustana was called for a foul in the box, Emily McIntyre converted the penalty kick for her fourth goal of the season and the margin was cut in half.
 
Two minutes later, Samantha Moreno tallied the equalizer for the Chicago Vikings. She scored for the second time this year off an assist from Delaney Kress and the match was level again in the 55th minute.
 
Things swung back in the favor of the hosts in the 64th minute, when Rizzo scored her fourth goal of the season. Junior Grace Iaquinta (Lincoln East HS, Lincoln, Neb.) and freshman Brandie Minogue (Crystal Lake South HS, Crystal Lake, Ill.) were credited with assists on the play. The Rock Island Vikings made Rizzo's goal stand up, denying North Park a shot attempt over the final 35 minutes of the match.
 
Augustana dominated the first half, outshooting North Park 14-3. In the 11th minute, the visitors were called for a hand ball in the box. Senior Hannah Lohmeier's (Waunakee HS, Waunakee, Wis.) penalty kick beat NPU's Sydney Martinez to the keeper's left side for the match's first score. The goal was Lohmeier's fourth of the year.
 
The hosts went up 2-0 in the 15th minute. Senior Brianne Frys (Fremd HS, Palatine, Ill.) fired a beautiful cross from the left side that found sophomore Andria Serra (Alleman HS, Silvis, Ill.) all alone on the back side. Serra's header found the back of the net for her second goal of the season and a 2-0 Augustana lead. The assist was Frys' team-leading sixth of the season.
 
The hosts missed several golden opportunities to extend the lead late in the half, but Martinez made six saves in the period, including four in the last 11 minutes, to keep her side within striking distance.
 
Augustana finished with a 27-6 advantage in shots, including 12-4 in attempts on frame. Mejia's bunch also led 3-1 in corners. Martinez finished with nine saves, while junior Bailey Bradford (Deerfield HS, Riverwoods, Ill.) recorded two for Augustana.
 
Augustana is back in action on Wednesday, October 12, hosting North Central in a 5:00 p.m. match at Thorson-Lucken Field.