By: After more than 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, Ashley Sholmire drew a yellow card in the box and converted a penalty kick to give Illinois College the win.
Box Score
RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Illinois College women's soccer team got its 2016 season off to a winning start thanks to a stingy effort in goal from
Samantha Vacek and the defensive nightmare known as
Ashley Sholmire. Vacek made eight saves in earning her first career shutout and Sholmire tore through the Concordia University (Chicago) defense in double-overtime to draw a yellow card in the 18-yard box and convert the subsequent penalty for a 1-0 victory.
Chances were few and far between for Illinois College in the opening half. The home side outshot the Lady Blues by a margin of 6-3, but Vacek was on the spot with four saves to keep the Cougars off the board. The best chance for IC in the first half came almost immediately after
Olivia Dobbs was subbed onto the field. She gained control of the ball and slotted a pass through to Sholmire who was left one-on-one with Concordia keeper Allyson Krajnak, but her shot trickled wide and the match went to the break deadlocked.
Making some adjustments, Illinois College had a better go of it in the second half, ending with three more shots, two of which were on frame.
Kaylen Sims forced a save from the Concordia keeper in the first three minutes after halftime and
Meadow Hardy also had a shot on target in the late stages of regulation. The best chance for a game-winner inside 90 minutes came in the 82nd minute as Elizabeth Sanders used her first touch to get past an IC defender and end up one-on-one with Vacek, but a great save from the sophomore denied the Cougars again.
Vacek made two more saves in the first overtime session to bring the match to double-overtime. With just over a minute elapsed, Sholmire slalomed through the Concordia defense and was taken down in the box by Christina Kiotis. Kiotis was shown a yellow card and the Lady Blues were awarded a penalty, which Sholmire stepped forward to take. Her shot left Krajnak completely flat-footed as it went into the corner, giving IC the victory.
Sholmire's first goal of the season and 18th of her career moved her into a tie for fifth place all-time in career goals in Illinois College with Stacy Bergan, who suited up for the Lady Blues from 2006 to 2009.
"We struggled at times," admitted Head Coach
Scott Smith. "But at the same time, we consistently worked to limit their options. We battled hard throughout and responded well late in the match as we played more of our style. There will always be tired legs in the first match and we pushed through that to create chances to score."
Illinois College (1-0-0) will next travel to Principia College on Saturday. Originally scheduled for an 8 p.m. start, the match has been moved up to 4 p.m. following the men's matchup at 2 p.m. due to lighting issues at the field in Elsah, Ill.
