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Liza Matimore from women's soccer
Kodiak Creative
0
Millikin MILLIKIN (2-4-2, 0-2-0)
6
Winner Ill. Wesleyan IWU (4-1-2, 2-0-0)
Millikin MILLIKIN
(2-4-2, 0-2-0)
0
Final
6
Ill. Wesleyan IWU
(4-1-2, 2-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Millikin MILLIKIN 0 0 0
Ill. Wesleyan IWU 3 3 6

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Women’s Soccer Blasts Big Blue Behind Matimore’s Seven-Point Showing

Matimore records first career hat trick

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team ran its unbeaten streak to four Wednesday night, Sept. 28, as the Green and White rolled past Millikin University, 6-0, under the lights at Neis Field. Sophomore Liza Matimore (Gurnee, Ill.-Warren Township) net the first hat trick of her career as the Titans boosted their record to 4-1-2 on the season and 2-0-0 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin competition. The Big Blue stumbled to 2-4-2 on the year and 0-2-0 in league play.

IWU's six goals were the most in a game since the Green and White clobbered Carthage, 8-0, Oct. 30, 2021. Meanwhile, Matimore's hat trick was historic as it came on the heels of fifth-year senior Caelyn Steffens' (Normal, Ill.-Normal Community) three-goal game at Carthage, Sept. 24. With Matimore scoring three goals, it is the first time Illinois Wesleyan has produced multiple hat tricks in a two-game span since Katie Kelly and Carrie Walz accomplished the feat in a 9-0 thumping of North Central Oct. 9, 2004.

Illinois Wesleyan overpowered Millikin from start to finish as the Titans mounted a 33-2 advantage in shots, including a 15-1 edge in shots on goal. MU's Sophie Dorgan made nine saves in net, with sophomore keeper Kayla Borg (McHenry, Ill.-Cary Grove) notching one stop as she pushed her shutout streak to 351 minutes.

Matimore led the scoring for the Green and White with three goals, while also adding an assist in a seven-point showing. Steffens tallied two goals, while sophomore Amanda Yaeger (New Lenox, Ill.-Lincoln-Way West) notched IWU's final tally.

The Titans broke the scoreless tie in the 12th minute as senior Jenna Li (Haslett, Mich.-Lansing Christian School) found Matimore at the top of the 18-yard box, where the sophomore fired the game's first goal into the back of the net to put IWU ahead 1-0.

Just over 10 minutes later, Matimore found herself on the helping side of a Steffens score. Fifth-year senior Madison Fischer (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg) tracked down a ball in the far corner and delivered a cross to the middle of the 18, where after a few deflections and a shot attempt by Matimore, Steffens buried Illinois Wesleyan's second goal of the game. 

The Green and White tacked on another insurance goal less than three minutes later to up its advantage to 3-nil. Senior Lauren Shanks (Bloomington, Ill.-Central Catholic) controlled a ball out of the midfield and raced down the sideline before playing a ball to Matimore at the top of the 18 for her second strike of the night.

Illinois Wesleyan took a 3-0 lead into halftime, aided by a 19-0 lead in shots over the first 45 minutes of play.

The Titans tacked on three more goals in the second half. Matimore completed her first career hat trick in the 59th minute thanks to helpers from Steffens and freshman Sawyer White (Downers Grove, Ill.-Montini Catholic). White then assisted on a Steffens goal in the 69th minute. Gaining possession of a 50-50 ball, sophomore Audrey Hofstetter (Gilbert, Ariz.-Perry) connected with the feet of White who quickly dropped a pass off for the Steffens goal. 

Yaeger closed out the contest with a goal in the 90th minute, recording the first goal of her career. A ball into the box was challenged by the MU keeper but could not be contained, leaving an open goal for Yaeger to wrap up the 6-nil victory.

Illinois Wesleyan remains at home this weekend, Oct. 1, as the Titans host Wheaton College. Game time is set for 1 p.m. and will serve as the first leg of a doubleheader with the IWU men's soccer team. 
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