Coming off a win to open up Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play on Saturday, the Benedictine University women's soccer team will play two more NACC matches this week. BenU will host Dominican University on Wednesday night, followed by a match at Edgewood College on Saturday.
Benedictine (2-6-1, 1-0) put forth a strong showing on Homecoming, defeating Wisconsin Lutheran College 1-0. The Eagles outshot WLC by just one (12-11), as the extra shot along with eight
Maddie Frye saves gave BenU enough for the win.
Allison Lambert scored her first goal of the season for the game's only tally, coming off of a corner kick from
Danielle Melotte in the 14th minute. Benedictine also tied North Central College 0-0 last Wednesday.
Wednesday: vs. Dominican (3-4, 0-1), 7:00 p.m.
BenU's men's soccer team has an important matchup against Dominican on Tuesday night, but the women's team will also oppose Dominican the next night. The Stars will come into the Village of Lisle/Benedictine University Sports Complex on a four-game losing streak, most recently falling to Concordia University Wisconsin in the NACC opener on Saturday. Dominican started the season 3-0, but has not won since defeating Lawrence University on September 6.
Last season, the Eagles defeated the Stars for the first time since the NACC was founded in 2006, winning 3-2.
Nikki Jhanji netted two goals, including the game-winner in the 81st minute.
Jackie Elzakhem scored BenU's first goal of the game in the 35th minute unassisted. Prior to the victory, the Eagles had scored just two goals against Dominican in seven prior NACC matches.
Saturday: at Edgewood (5-2-1, 1-0), 4:30 p.m.
Both nicknamed the Eagles, Benedictine and Edgewood will square off on Saturday prior to the men's match. Traditionally one of the NACC's stronger women's soccer programs, Edgewood is off to a strong start this season after going 10-1 in 2013 for a share of the conference's regular season championship. Currently, Edgewood is riding a three-game winning streak, defeating non-conference foe Beloit College, former NACC member Maranatha Baptist University, and Concordia University Chicago in the NACC opener on Saturday.
Edgewood won the matchup against Benedictine 5-0 last season, surrendering just five shots in the contest. Benedictine is still looking for its first win against Edgewood since the conference was founded in 2006, as Edgewood has taken all eight matchups. Edgewood has allowed just two goals to BenU in the contests, with the last coming in 2009.
