NO. 11 HAWKS DOWN NO. 14 LAKERS BEHIND CLEAN SHEET FROM HUCKELS

SPENCER, Iowa – The No. 11 Northeast Community College women's soccer team battled No. 14 Iowa Lakes Community College Wednesday in Spencer, Iowa in the final match of the regular season. The Hawks captured a victory in the ranked matchup by a final score of 1-0.

Northeast (13-4-2, 7-1-1 ICCAC) and the Lakers were competing in the showdown for the right to be the No. 3 seed in the Region 11 Tournament and to add another ranked win to their respective resumes as the postseason nears. Talia Sanders (Queensland, Australia) broke the scoreless tie late in the first half as she ripped a shot from far outside of the 18-yard box that found the back of the net with an assist from Malana Gurmendi (Boulder, Colo.).

Sarah Huckels (Essen, Germany) was named ICCAC Athlete of the Week on Tuesday and then was awarded NJCAA Soccer DII Women's Goalie of the Week before Wednesday's match after she didn't allow a goal in two contests against Western Iowa Tech Community College and Scott Community College last week. Huckels backed up that performance with another clean sheet and multiple high-pressure saves to preserve the lead and secure the triumph for the Hawks over the Lakers.

STAT SHEET:

Goals: Talia Sanders (Queensland, Australia)

Assists: Malana Gurmendi (Boulder, Colo.)

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Women's Soccer Coach Chad Miller on what he saw on Talia Sanders' dazzling goal:

"The girls said there was space in front of the goal," Miller said. "Talia was patient and sat in the pocket and took the shot. You can't help but be excited when the ball is at her feet!"

Miller on the focus as postseason play begins:

"There hasn't been any discussion about it, but we have a title to defend," Miller said. "There will be no easy games from here. This is when the season truly begins. Wins and losses before don't matter. It's all about the wins now."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks are the No. 3 seed in the Region 11 Tournament and will battle North Iowa Area Community College at 3 p.m. Sunday at Norfolk Veterans Memorial Field in Norfolk.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

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