BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team broke through in the last 10 minutes to down Knox College, 1-0, Tuesday night, Sept. 15. Senior Ava Mapes (Golden, Colo.–Lakewood) scored the late game-winning goal to extend the Titans' unbeaten streak to 3-0-3.
The Prairie Fire knocked on the door first but the Titans did not hesitate to answer back with a shot of their own from junior Vannessa Gray (Burlington, Ontario, Canada-Dr. Frank J. Hayden).
The Green and White continued to put pressure on Knox's back line, but the Prairie Fire's defense turned attempt after attempt away.
The Titans had 11 shots compared to Knox's two as the match remained deadlocked 0-0. Freshman Peyton McMahon (Lakewood, Ill.-Crystal Lake Central) and senior Sophie Lampert (Hudson, Ill.-Normal West) shared three shots apiece in the first half. Senior Adriana Ruffolo (Bloomingdale, Ill. -Glenbard North) posted one save compared to the Prairie Fire's six.
The Titans came out of the break with more energy and opportunities to test the Prairie Fire's back line. Lampert found herself in the box with three consecutive shots, but none found the net. The reigning College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Week, Mapes had a shot to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute, but missed just left of the post.
It became an intense battle for possession between the two teams up until the last 10 minutes of the contest. The Titans were once more in the box when junior Liza Wiley (Bloomington, Ind.-Home School) slipped a pass to Mapes for the game-winner in the 80th minute.
The Green and White defense closed out the shutout, the third clean sheet of the season, to maintain IWU's unbeaten run.
The Titans outshot the Prairie Fire 24-5 on the night with 11 shots on target compared to Knox's two.
The Titans are back in action tomorrow, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. against Illinois College. Live coverage can be accessed here.
