By: Matthew Revels, Sports Editor
Newman’s women’s soccer team earned its first win of the 2023 season on Saturday against Northwestern Oklahoma State.
The Rangers went up 1-0 with three minutes left in the first half, and though they had momentum going into the rest of the game, sophomore midfielder Maylani Birckbichler had other plans. Three minutes into the second half, Birckbichler scored her first goal of the season, tying the score and giving Newman the momentum advantage it needed for the rest of the game.
Birckbichler wasn't done, and she scored her second goal five minutes after — a beautiful long distance shot from outside the box.
All great teams win by scoring, but the best win through defense. That is the idea that Newman’s goalkeeper Jordan Webster seemed to have in her mind during Saturday's game. Webster played all 90 minutes and had six saves to keep the Jets within the very needed striking distance.
Sophomore Morgan Todd spoke highly of her teammates after the match and described her team’s energy and aspirations in just a few words: “We are hopeful and electrifying,” Todd said.
The team is on the road this weekend playing games against Colorado State University Pueblo and No. 23 ranked Colorado Mesa University. The Jets’ next home game is not until Thursday, Sept. 14, when they start conference play against the University of Central Oklahoma.
PHOTO: Sydney Endicott, Photographer
