KENOSHA, Wis. - After a 0-7-5 start to the season, the Carthage Firebirds women's soccer team broke through to secure a win after defeating North Park University 1-0. Sophomore
Leah Martin, from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute by hammering a penalty kick past North Park's goalkeeper. The goal was Martin's first of her young career and came after 84 minutes of tough defense and excellent work by both goalkeepers.
Carthage honored seniors
Jenny Garcia,
Zaira Solis,
Yuvia Ontiveros,
Kenzie Zocher,
Annika Schmidt, and
Olivia Covelli prior to the game, recognizing their contributions to the program during their time at Carthage.
- Final Score: Carthage 1, North Park 0.
- Location: Art Keller Field- Kenosha, Wis.
- Records: Carthage 1-7-5 (1-4-1 CCIW), North Park 3-9-2 (1-4-1 CCIW)
- Each team failed to score in the first 45 minutes of game action, as the defensive intensity was high and both goalkeepers were locked in. The Firebirds outshot North Park 5-4 in the first half of play.
- North Park found better offense in the latter half, but first-year goalkeeper Ainsley Stallworth saved five shots and kept the Vikings from finding the back of the net.
- A North Park foul in the 84th minute sent sophomore Leah Martin to the top of the box for a penalty kick, which she sent past Emily LaSalle to put the Firebirds on top 1-0.
- Carthage held the Vikings without a shot in the final five minutes of play, leading to its first win of the 2022 season.
- Sophomore Leah Martin scored the first goal of her career in the 84th minute off of a penalty kick, delivering the ball into the bottom left of the net.
- First-year goalkeeper Ainsley Stallworth pitched the second shutout of her young career, recording six saves in the game. Stallworth has now tallied 90 saves on the year.
- Senior midfielder Jenny Garcia recorded two shots in the game, with one of them being on goal.
- Senior defender Zaira Solis and junior midfielder Katie Talens also took a shot on goal against North Park.
- Sophomore defender Maggie Thom took four shots (three on goal) in the contest.
- Carthage departs Kenosha and will close the 2022 season with two road contests in Decatur and Elmhurst, respectively. The penultimate game of the season will take place against the Millikin Big Blue on Saturday, October 22 beginning at 5 p.m., while the final game of the year will take place against Elmhurst on Wednesday, October 26 starting at 7 p.m.