Hamilton leads the Raiders with two goals

Senior mid-fielder Mackenzie Hamilton matched her season total with two goals scored in Monday’s first round of the Horizon League Tournament as she led the Raiders women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Valparaiso.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Hamilton said.  “I spent three years playing defense so senior year, playing offense and scoring two goals in the quarter finals, it’s pretty unreal.”

Hamilton put the Raiders ahead 33:48 into the game with a 25 yard curling shot that brought fans to their feet as the Raiders led 1-0.

Hamilton scored her second goal of the game just after the 70 minute mark after a pass by Horizon League All-Freshman Aaliyah Patten.  Her second assist of the season.

“Valparaiso is a really good team and they gave us everything that we could handle,” head coach Pat Ferguson said.  “I’m really proud of the girls they did a great job.”

Senior goalkeeper Halle Pyle allowed one goal to sneak by with two and half minutes remaining but grabbed six saves in the game.

“Last year we didn’t make the tournament,” Hamilton said. “This year they ranked us seven out of 10 in the Horizon League and that’s been motivation going forward.”

The Raiders will advance onto the semi-finals of the Horizon League Tournament in Milwaukee, where they will face Milwaukee on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.