CALEDONIA, Mich. – Coming into the game, Davenport knew they needed to pick it up offensively, especially with conference play beginning. The Panthers found their stride and scored three goals in a shutout win over Purdue Northwest. The win puts DU at 1-0 in GLIAC play and earns them three points. Three different players scored a goal, including Holly Bertke who scored the game-winning goal in the first half.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-3 | Purdue Northwest-0
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: Davenport 3-5 (1-0) | Purdue Northwest 1-8-1 (0-3)
 
SHOTS PER HALF (Shots on goal)
First Half: DU-10 | PNW-4
Second Half: DU-5 | PNW-3
Total: DU-15 (7) | PNW-7 (4)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
From the opening kickoff, Davenport had a pep in their step and a hunger to score some goals. Allison Luurtsema had an early opportunity to score off a corner kick from Madeleine Zayan, but her header went just over the goal post. The Panthers continued to attack, despite the cold and rainy weather. Bertke subbed in during the 21^st minute and made an immediate impact. She recorded a shot on goal within two minutes of being on the field and then scored the game-winner in the 43^rd minute of the half. Bertke corralled a pass from Ashlyn Skidmore just outside the goalie box; she took a few dribbles and ripped a shot from a few steps inside the right side of the goalie box. The ball soared over the goalies arms into the left upper side of the net, giving Davenport their first goal since September 15. The Panthers went into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
 
Davenport did not settle in the second half and within five minutes scored their second goal of the game. This time it was Zayan, who gathered a beautiful ball from Roheema Bennett. Zayan scored her goal from the left side of the goalie box, her second of the season. Just under 10 minutes later DU was knocking on the door again, getting an answer in the form of a header from Imanie Richards. Skidmore sent in a corner kick from the right side of the field and Richards found the ball and headed it into the net by the near post, her first of the season. The Davenport defense and goalkeeper Samantha Beckles did an impeccable job, holding the Pride to only four shots on goal, with zero of them getting past Beckles. Davenport opened their conference schedule with a win and three points!
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME


UP NEXT
The Panthers will host Parkside on Sunday, October 13 for their next conference home game. The game is slated to being at 11 a.m. at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Walter Cronk