Northwestern at Briar Cliff

• PREVIEW
• BOXSCORE
• VIDEOS

Aaron O'Brien scored a goal and had an assist for Northwestern as they cruised past Briar Cliff 3-1 in men's soccer Tuesday afternoon in Sioux City. Andy Janssen and Mike Cookson also had goals for Northwestern, who moved to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in GPAC play.  Northwestern will hit the field again on the 27th of September as they travel to Lincoln, Nebr. to take on the Prairie Wolves of Nebraska Wesleyan.

Much of the first half was scoreless between the Raiders and Chargers and Briar Cliff broke the ice netting the first goal of the game when Andres Artunduaga  found Aaron Witmer, who beat keeper Ben Schneider, giving Briar Cliff a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute.  Northwestern didn't take long to answer the call, however, as Aaron O'Brien netted a penalty kick after being fouled inside the box, in the 35th minute.  The first half ended as a 1-1 tie.  Northwestern was out-shot 15-7 in the first half and gave up four corner kicks in the first half.

The second half was all Northwestern, though, as the Raiders out-shot the Chargers 13-6 and had six corner kicks to two by the Chargers.  Northwestern was able to score two second half goals, the first by Andy Janssen, assisted by Aaron O'Brien, and the second by Mike Cookson, assisted by Aron Pall.  

For the match, goalkeeper Ben Schneider made 14 saves and allowed one goal.  Mike Cookson put five shots on goal, a team high, and had a goal.  Jordan Born made four shots, three on goal.  Ben Karnish made two shots on goal, Steven Grand made two shots on goal, Aron Pall made one shot on goal, and Mark Pence had a shot on goal.  Aaron O'Brien had two shots on goal, a goal, and an assist while Andy Janssen had two shots on goal and a goal.

Northwestern improved to 2-1 in the GPAC and 4-4 overall.  The take on Nebraska Wesleyan this Saturday in Lincoln, Nebr. in a 8:00 pm match.