DECORAH, Iowa - The Luther women's soccer team beat Wartburg 1-0 in the First Round of the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Tournament on Saturday. Just 1 minute and 49 seconds into the contest Sammie Sabin scored the game winner. She records her first goal of the season. The Norse advance to face No.2 Simpson College in the A-R-C Semifinal on Wednesday, November 1 in Indianola, Iowa. Luther improved to 8-6-4 overall. 

Not long after the opening whistle the Norse threatened early. After a Luther throw in, Lauren Linkletter dribbled the ball pulling a Knight defender with her. She passed it to Sammie Sabin who was running into the box. Sabin hit the ball with her right foot burying it low and into the left corner of the goal. The Norse had the 1-0 lead just 1 minute and 49 seconds into the match. It was Sabin's first goal of the season. The Luther offense kept the ball in the Wartburg end but they couldn't notch a second goal when the whistle blew for halftime. 

In the second half neither team controlled the ball in the attacking halves of the field. As both defenses were put to the test. Emma Lin almost had the second goal for the Norse in the 49th minute but the Knights goalie was able to make the save. The Luther defense held tight as Ken Vavrichek made every stop look easy. He had four saves in the contest as Luther earned the 1-0 victory. They advance to the A-R-C Tournament Semifinals where they will face No. 2 Simpson College. 

The Norse defeat the Knights for the first time since 2017 snapping a nine game win streak by Wartburg. 

UP NEXT
Luther travels to No. 2 Simpson College on Wednesday, November 1 for the A-R-C Semifinal in Indianola, Iowa. Kickoff time is to be determined.