KIRKLAND – Northwest put up five goals and got an emotional second-half lift against Warner Pacific Friday.
 
Claire Jo Diede had two goals and an assist, and Kayla Soderstrom added a goal and two assists. Sarah (Hommas) Hansen made her fall debut in the second half to the delight of her teammates and fans. Hansen broke her leg in NU's game at Warner Pacific last spring.
 
"I am very proud of our approach and execution today," said NU Head Coach Bryan Chud. "Warner is set up very well, and they are difficult to break down, so I was pleased with the focus and the end product overall. Also significant was the return of Sarah who is one of the toughest athletes I've ever been around. We will refocus now and prepare for tomorrow."
 
Callie Wright got the game-winning goal in the 23rd minute, playing home a feed from Colette Liston and Diede.
 
Soderstrom got her goal just before halftime, putting a shot through the outstretched arms of the WPU keeper. Gracie VanAssche and Maya Lewis had the key touches on that goal.
 
Elizabeth Moretti made it 3-0 in the 50th minute with assists by Liv Lagerquist and VanAssche,
 
Diede got her first goal in the 86th minute, with the help of Kalya Soderstrom and Jennifer Conner. Diede scored again in the 89th minute with Soderstrom's second assist.
 
Northwest had 25 shots with Wright getting eight, Soderstrom and Diede five each, and Moretti three. Diede had a game-high five shots on goal. Wright had three shots on goal, with Lagerquist and Soderstrom adding two each. Moretti added one. 
 
Kierstin Patefield got the shutout victory in goal, racking up two saves.
 
The Eagles, now 5-6-3 overall and 4-2-2 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, entertain Multnomah at 3 p.m. on Saturday.