CHICAGO – The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team blanked North Park University 2-nil at Holmgren Athletic Complex Saturday, Oct. 10. The Titans (7-0-5, 3-0-1 CCIW) went up early on the Vikings (4-7-2, 1-2-1 CCIW) before shutting the door on NPU in the second half.
The Vikings came out pushing the Titans' defense, but IWU held off strong fighting for possession. Junior Vanessa Gray (Burlington, Ontario, Canada-Dr. Frank J. Hayden) almost put the Titans up early, but her shot hit the crossbar.
In the 35th minute, North Park took a shot in the Green and White's box, but freshman Peyton McMahon (Lakewood, Ill.-Crystal Lake Central) saved it just in time to save the Titans from the close call.
The Titans built off NPU's attempt one minute later as junior Ellen Dahlquist (Peoria, Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame) took the ball to quickly pass to McMahon. McMahon passed the ball to the feet of sophomore Zoe Kormah (Pekin, Ill.-Pekin) for her second goal of the season to lift Illinois Wesleyan 1-nil.
The Titans ended the half with seven shots, one on target, while the Vikings had six shots, one on target.
After a back and forth start to the second half, in the 64th minute, freshman Kahlie Gaske-Dominguez (Plano, Texas-Plano Senior) passed to junior Taylor Haun (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township) to push the Titans' lead to 2-nil. IWU's defense held strong the rest of the way to hold on to the two-goal shutout.
The Titans finished with 11 shots compared to the Vikings 18. Senior Adriana Ruffolo (Bloomingdale, Ill.-Glenbard North) put up two saves in today's shutout. This is Ruffolo's second shutout and third combined shutout of the season.
The Titans are back on the road for their final non-conference contest on Tuesday, Oct. 16 against No. 1 Washington University in St. Louis. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. Live coverage of the event can be accessed here.
