By: Playing on the front foot much of the way, it took until the final eight minutes of regulation for Bianca Savarese and Illinois College to find the tying score. In overtime, Savarese struck again with the game-winner.
Box Score CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Illinois College women's soccer team and Head Coach
Linda Hamilton opened the 2014 season successfully on Friday night, capitalizing on its late chances to come away with a 2-1 win in double-overtime at Coe College.
Bianca Savarese notched the equalizer in the 83rd minute and then got the game-winner in the 108th minute.
"I think early on there were some nerves on our part, the first match of the season and still learning a new system," said Hamilton. "As the day wore on, we were in very good condition and it showed at the end."
Early on it was Coe who enjoyed the run of play, sending an early shot off the crossbar before going up, 1-0, in the 15th minute courtesy of Sarah Fathallah. After shaking off the early jitters, the Lady Blues went on the attack, outshooting the Kohawks 13-4 in the opening 45 minutes. Despite that advantage, the tying score failed to come.
"I'll give credit to the girls, I never once saw them hang their heads," commented Hamilton. "They had a belief the whole time that they were getting back in it."
It took nearly until the end. Off a throw-in, the ball trickled into the box and Savarese was in the right place at the right time to slot home past Coe keeper Kiatlyn Gordley.
Rebecca Morris was credited with the assist.
Savarese then ended the match inside the final three minutes of play to give the Lady Blues the hard-fought victory. Her unassisted goal gave the junior midfielder her fifth multi-goal game of her career on her eighth and final shot of the day. It is the third straight season-opening win for Illinois College.
Morris,
Ellen Radcliffe and
Ashley Sholmire followed Savarese with three shots apiece, helping IC to a 22-16 shot advantage in the contest.
Corey Hanson went the distance in goal, making six saves.
The Lady Blues make a quick turnaround tomorrow, facing Iowa Wesleyan. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Mount Pleasant.
