By: Down a goal with less than 13 minutes remaining in the second half, Illinois College sent the match to overtime on a Kelsey Ziegemeier goal, then won it on a PK in the extra session.
Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College women's soccer team continued its unbeaten run to start the 2016 season, coming from a goal down to defeat Monmouth College, 2-1, in the Midwest Conference opener for each team. The Lady Blues move to 4-0-0 (1-0-0 MWC) and send Monmouth to 2-2-0 (0-1-0 MWC) on the year.
The first half was a wide-open affair, with the Scots attempting 10 shots and Illinois College taking eight. Just short of half-an-hour in, Kara-Jade Gordon took possession after an IC turnover deep in its own final third and slotted a ball low past
Samantha Vacek to put the Scots ahead, 1-0. Shortly after that,
Ashley Sholmire had the best chance of the first half for the Lady Blues, but her shot from the right side of the 18-yard box spun wide of Monmouth goalkeeper Nicole Neagle.
The Scots appeared comfortable with their lead and were pressing for a second goal when the Lady Blues turned the match on its head. Sholmire possessed the ball with her back to goal on the left wing, but was able to fend off a Monmouth defender to get the ball to
Olivia Dobbs who was there in support. Dobbs took a touch and then found
Kelsey Ziegemeier unmarked at the back post. Ziegemeyer connected solidly with the cross and left Neagle no chance to recover, tying the match in the 78th minute.
From there, overtime seemed an inevitability. Sholmire had the first chance of the extra session a minute in, but Neagle was able to save this attempt to keep the match level. Just a few minutes later,
Mackenzie Bedgood was brought down in the penalty area by two Monmouth defenders and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Sholmire took the PK and her third goal of the season secured the game-winner via that method for the second time already in 2016.
The win in the match was credited to
Charlotte Crofton, who came on in place of Vacek to start the second half and spent just shy of 50 minutes in goal, making four saves.
Illinois College will return to England Stadium as part of a doubleheader on Sept. 18. The Lady Blues will meet former MWC member Carroll University for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff following the conclusion of the men's match with the Pioneers.
