BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team was downed 2-nil by Carroll University in the quarterfinals of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament Saturday night, Oct. 31. The Titans finish the year with a 9-4-5 record, while the Pios advance to 4-7-8 overall and will play in Wednesday night's CCIW Tournament Semifinal, Nov. 4.
An evenly-match first half saw the score deadlocked nil-nil after 45 minutes of play. The Green and White outshot the Pios 9-5, including a 5-3 lead in shots on goal in the first half.
Carroll found an opening, taking control of an IWU throw-in deep in the Titans' defensive third. Gathering the ball near the corner of the 18, CU's Carmella Nowak touched a pass off along the box to Ellie Pierson who one-timed a shot past the outreach of senior goalkeeper Adriana Ruffalo (Bloomingdale, Ill.-Glenbard North) in the 63rd minute.
Pressing for the game-tying goal, the Titans were whistled for a foul in the box with 18:40 to play. The Pios took advantage, pushing a shot in along the grass to double their lead, 2-nil.
Illinois Wesleyan's attack, led by the ferociousness of senior Ava Mapes (Golden, Colo.-Lakewood) and junior Taylor Haun (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township) continued to go at Carroll, challenging every and any ball looking to spark the home team.
IWU had two near goals seconds apart in the 74th minute. Haun gave a pass to freshman Zoe Kormah (Pekin, Ill.-Pekin Community) at the top of the box, who took one touch and put a shot on frame. The scorcher off the boot of Kormah was pushed up and off the crossbar for the CU keeper. Rushing in from the weakside, senior Sophie Lampert (Hudson, Ill.-Normal West) headed the ball at goal but once again the Carroll goalie made the stop.
With the loss, the Titans conclude the year with their second straight nine-win season. The match also marked the final in the careers of Mapes, Lampert, Ruffalo, and Alexis Shakelford (Orland Park, Ill.-Marist), who helped lead the Titans to 24 wins over their four years donning the Green and White.
