By Caleb Scott

ADA — The No. 19-ranked Ohio Northern women's soccer team won its sixth straight contest after defeating Mount Union 2-1 during its Ohio Athletic Conference season opener on Saturday evening at Kerscher Stadium.

The Polar Bears improve to 8-1- overall and 1-0-0 in the OAC, while the Purple Raiders drop to 6-3-0, 0-1-0.

Sophomore Rose Nienaber (Cincinnatti/Oak Hills) and freshman Courtney Favazzo (Mayfield Heights/Mayfield) each scored to lead Northern offensively.

Freshman Jenna Fuller (Countryside, Ill./Lyons Township) tallied assists on each goal.

After a nearly scoreless first half, Fuller was able to cross a ball from the right wing before Nienaber one touched it into the net to give Northern a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute.

The Polar Bears held a 1-0 advantage at halftime, outshooting Mount Union 16-0 in the first half.

In the 59th minute, Fuller played a perfect cross from the right wing, where Favazzo would score her first career goal with a header from 10 yards out.

Just over four minutes later, the Purple Raiders were able to capitalize on a breakaway and close the gap to 2-1.

The Northern defense would prove to be too much as ONU went on to win the contest 2-1.

The Polar Bears outshot MtU 29-4 and posted a 17-2 victory in the corner shot battle.

Sophomore keeper Meagan Grierson (Miamisburg) earned the victory in the goal, recording two saves and improving her record to 8-1-1 on the year.

The Polar Bears will return to action on Wednesday evening as it welcomes Otterbein to Kerscher Stadium for a 7 pm matchup.