THRILLING COMEBACK GIVES WOMEN’S SOCCER ITS FIRST NON-CONFERENCE WIN IN THREE YEARS

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Just when it seemed as if it was another replay of the season opener as the Avila's women's soccer team headed to the halftime locker room down by two goals, a thrilling comeback ensued, highlighted by back-to-back goals in the final six minutes of regulation to give the Eagles a 3-2 victory over Northwestern College and their first nonconference win of since 2021.

A goal by Northwestern 62 seconds into the game put Avila in an early hole. The hole grew larger as Northwestern added another score 12 minutes later.

As the Eagles defense locked in, that was all the scoring that Avila would allow.

Senior midfielder Addison Yinger got the scoring started early in the second half, finding the back of the net less than three minutes after halftime. It not only opened the Eagles' scoring for the game, but it marked the first Avila goal of the season.

As Northwestern was preparing to leave the pitch with a win, it was Yinger again who scored her second of the day in the 85^th minute to tie the game at 2-2. Yinger's second goal was assisted by freshman defender Samantha Lasater.

Lasater's twin sister, Cali, wanted to match her sister 90 seconds later as she assisted on the eventual game-winning goal, finding senior forward Aubrey Chanel for Avila's third goal of the season to seal the come-from-behind 3-2 victory and bring the Eagles back to Kansas City 1-1 on the year and giving the Eagles their first nonconference win since defeating Presentation in September 2021.

Northwestern doubled Avila's shots on the game (22-11), but a strong defensive unit – a strength that head coach Katie LaForge noted prior to the season – helped to secure the Avila victory.

Avila's home opener is this Wednesday at The Z against Park at 4 PM.