By Nick Gerhardt
Northfield capped off the regular season Thursday with a 4-0 victory over Faribault Thursday at Memorial Field at Northfield High School to head into the postseason with some momentum.
The Raiders (5-9-2, 5-5-1 Big 9) got three goals from Olivia Rasmussen and a goal from Alaia Douah three minutes into the game to snap a two-game losing streak. It also provided a big Section 1AA victory for Northfield, which evened its record against section opponents to 2-2.
Alaia Douah strikes first for the Raiders
The Raiders hold a better section record than Waseca, which went 1-2 against section foes, but holds an 11-3-1 overall record. Depending on how section seeding shakes out, Northfield could slot as high as a No. 4 seed to host a playoff game. All teams above the Raiders in the section standings hold winning records overall.
Northfield made quick work of the Falcons (1-9-2, 0-8-2 Big 9) in the first half. Following Douah’s goal, Rasmussen notched her first goal of the game in the 11th minute. Rasmussen got free on a breakaway, stopped inside the 18-yard box to find room for a shot and scored to make it 2-0.
Olivia Rasmussen’s first goal of the night to put the Raiders up 2-0
In the 32nd minute, Shania Gjerdingen connected with Rasmussen with a cross that Rasmussen finished on a first touch off her right foot for a 3-0 lead.
Rasmussen strikes again thanks to a great assist from teammate Shania Gjerdingen
Rasmussen completed her hat trick with a rebound goal in the 55th minute following a shot from Anni Quaas to push the lead to 4-0.
Rasmussen gets her third and final goal of the night
The Raiders will find out their opponent over the weekend before beginning section tournament play Tuesday at the high seed.