LIVONIA, Mich. - Avery Topinka scored twice, including the decisive goal at 55:59, as Madonna University (6-5-0) defeated Northwestern Ohio (5-4-2) 2-1 on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Livonia, Mich. Chelsey Chambless assisted on both goals as the Crusaders improved to 3-0-0 in conference play.
Madonna tested goalkeeper Silje Eikeland early, with Nadine Jawad putting a shot on goal at 3:30. Grace McCormick then saved Rubi Carter's attempt at 9:01 to keep the match scoreless. Topinka broke through at 17:42, finishing with assists from Canses Gibson and Chambless to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.
Emma Seifert forced another save from Eikeland at 30:02 as Madonna pursued a second goal. At the other end, McCormick stopped Moa Soderstjerna at 44:28 to preserve the advantage heading into halftime. Northwestern Ohio held a 7-4 edge in first-half shots and took five corner kicks, but the Crusaders recorded three saves and carried their lead into the break.
Topinka doubled Madonna's lead at 55:59 on another Chambless assist, converting the second of Topinka's two shots in the match. Northwestern Ohio responded just 1:34 later, with Amy Smith scoring off Soderstjerna's assist at 57:33. The goal cut the margin to 2-1 and left Madonna defending a one-goal advantage for the remaining 32:27.
The Crusaders continued to create chances while protecting that lead. Chambless had a shot saved at 62:14, and McCormick stopped Camila Rico at 65:30 to prevent an equalizer. Carly Roth forced Eikeland into another save at 69:01, giving Madonna contributions on goal from five different players.
Northwestern Ohio finished with advantages of 12-9 in shots and 7-3 in corner kicks, while each team put six shots on goal. Madonna recorded five saves to Northwestern Ohio's four, and the visitors fell to 2-2-0 in conference play. Roth sent an attempt wide left at 71:40, the final recorded shot by either team, and the Crusaders maintained their 2-1 lead through the finish.
Madonna will look to continue the winning when they travel to Dearborn, Michigan to take on the University of MIchigan-Dearborn on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
