MONTGOMERY, Ill. – The Illinois College women's soccer team fell behind in the opening minute of the match on Sunday afternoon against Methodist University and eventually lost to the Monarchs by a score of 5-0. Though the Lady Blues hung on against last year's USA South Conference champions much of the way, Methodist put the contest away with three goals in a span of less than three minutes midway through the second half.
A foul in the 18-yard box in the opening minute of the game gave Methodist a penalty kick and Sierra Swasey slotted home for a 1-0 lead after 35 seconds. In the ensuing minutes,
Ashley Brokaw and
Katie Elmore each managed to get shots off for Illinois College, but both were saved. The Monarchs doubled their lead in the 17th minute with a rebound goal by Capri Clark to make it 2-0.
For the next 50 minutes, IC held firm until the referee spotted another foul in the box in the 69th minute of the match. Lindsay Kormelink got down low for the save on the initial penalty, but the ball shot right back to Miranda Cowardin and she didn't make any mistake with her second opportunity. Bella Nunu and Cheyenne Ferrin each added goals in the 70th and 72nd minutes to put the match out of reach.
Charlotte Crofton ended with 18 saves in the match and Kormelink made five. Elmore led the Lady Blues with three shots in the match, while Brokaw,
Allison Hewitt and
Morgan Lallish each had one.
Illinois College (0-2-0) comes home to England Stadium on Sept. 5 to face Blackburn College in the 2018 home opener. First kick is slated for 7 p.m.
