Illinois Wesleyan

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team erupted late in the second half to come back from a one-goal deficit to clinch the Homecoming win over Carthage College 2-1, Saturday, Oct. 3 at Neis Field. The Titans move 5-0-5 overall (1-0-1 CCIW) while the Firebirds slip to 2-4-5 (0-1-1 CCIW). 

Senior Ava Mapes (Golden, Colo.-Lakewood) took the first shot for IWU, but was blocked by the Carthage defense. Illinois Wesleyan kept pushing with shots by junior Liza Wiley (Bloomington, Ind.-Home School) and senior Sophie Lampert (Hudson, Ill.-Normal West), recording seven shots in all over the first 45. Of IWU's seven shot attempts, one was one frame, while CC mustered just one shot total over the course of the first half.

The Firebirds came out with the first opportunity, but saw it saved by freshman Lucy Gray (Evergreen Park, Ill.-Mother Mcauley). Carthage kept knocking, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 59th minute.

Going into the 79th minute of the contest, IWU finally broke through when junior Ellen Dahlquist's (Peoria, Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame) free kick made it's way to Mapes for sophomore Zoe Kormah (Pekin,Ill.- Pekin Community) to quickly rebound to equalize, 1-1. 

The Titans picked up their fifth home win of the year courtesy of a late strike by Wiley. Netting her fourth goal of the season, Wiley scored from deep outside the 18 to propel IWU ahead, 2-1, in the 85th minute.

Illinois Wesleyan bottled up the Firebirds from there, closing out the win to remain unbeaten at home. Overall,  IWU had 18 shots, six on target compared to CC's four shots (3 SOG). Gray had two saves, while the Firebirds had four. 

The Titans are back on the road next Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Elmhurst University. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. with live coverage being accessed here.