MINNEAPOLIS – Freshman forward Niya Wilson (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) figured into the scoring of the UW-Superior women's soccer team's first four goals Wednesday as the Yellowjackets cruised to a 5-0 victory at North Central at Elliot Park Field.
 
Wilson assisted on Annah Schussman's (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) third goal of the season in the 22nd minute before scoring Superior's next three goals – all in the second half.
 
Wilson tallied in the 55th, 62nd and 82nd minutes for UWS to open a 4-0 lead. Classmate Allison Alessi (Shakopee, Minn./Prior Lake) picked up her second goal of the year with just 1:11 to play in the match – assisted by Claire Smith (Hayward, Wis./Hayward) – for the final margin. 
 
Olivia Harding (Phillips, Wis./Phillips) assisted on the first Wilson goal of the afternoon while Alessi and Kenzie Oehlerking picked up helpers on the next two.
 
The 'Jackets dominated possession, holding the ball in the attacking third of the field for 46 percent of the match. UWS boasted a 16-1 advantage in shots on goal, while limiting North Central to just three shot attempts in the match. Superior collected eight corner kicks to three for the Rams.
 
Senior goalkeeper Morgan Philliber (Apple Valley, Minn./Edina) turned aside a shot from NCU's Hannah Grubbs in the 49th minute, the only save she was called upon to make, to pick up her second consecutive clean sheet. 
 
Arien Fritts made 11 saves in the Rams' nets on the day, taking the loss in the North Central's season opener.
 
The Yellowjackets improved to 2-0-0 with the victory, marking the first time since 2006 UWS has won its first two matches of the season. That year, Superior began 3-0-0 and ultimately won four of its first five to start.
 
UWS returns home to host Bethany Lutheran Saturday. Kickoff at NBC Spartan Sports Complex is 1 p.m.