MACOMB, Ill. - First-half goals by Hannah Olson and Mara Yapello led the University of North Dakota (2-2 Summit League) to a sweep at Western Illinois (0-8 Summit League) on March 7 as the Fighting Hawks defeated the Leathernecks, 2-1.

On aggregate, UND outscored WIU 4-1 in the weekend series, scoring three goals on the Leathernecks with three different Hawks hitting the back of the net. Olson was the only North Dakota player in the series to record multiple points as she scored the opening goal of the match and dished the game-winner. 

Olson opened the scoring for North Dakota in the eighth minute of play, ripping a shot well outside of the Fighting Hawks attacking third and the 18-yard box to her left to put UND in control early.

Yapello doubled the Fighting Hawks lead in the 23rd minute when she received a ball from Olson and put the ball low and at the center of the target to give North Dakota the 2-0 edge. Yapello's first goal of the season also came outside of UND's attacking third.

North Dakota held an 8-5 advantage in shots in the half, including a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal. 

Western Illinois played more aggressively in the second half, outshooting UND 10-6 and placing five shots on target to North Dakota's four. The Leathernecks cut the Fighting Hawks lead in half in the 53rd minute of play as Jenna Lundgren slipped a shot past Madi Livingston and snapping UND's clean sheet. 

The University of North Dakota will return to action next weekend and make its home debut when it hosts North Dakota State on Friday, March 12 at 2 p.m. Central.