BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team topped Illinois College in a gritty, 3-1, win Wednesday night, Sept. 16, under the lights at Neis Field. The Titans are now 4-0-3 on the season while IC goes to 2-4.
Senior Ava Mapes (Golden, Colo.-Lakewood) remained red-hot on the attack, scoring in the 15th minute for her seventh goal in the past five games. Mapes, who ranks in the top-10 nationally in goals, pushed the Titans ahead 1-nil off an assist by freshman Peyton McMahon (Lakewood, Ill.-Crystal Lake Central).
The Lady Blues did not hesitate to answer back, netting their own goal 12 minutes later to knot the match at one all.
With less than five minutes left in the half, junior Taylor Haun (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora) gained possession and made her way down field for her first goal of the season. Haun's strike in the 41st minute reclaimed the lead, 2-1, for the home team.
The Green and White went into halftime with eight shots compared to the Lady Blues' five. Senior Adriana Ruffolo (Bloomingdale, Ill.-Glenbard North) had one save while IC totaled three at the break.
The second half saw a lot of moving pieces in the midfield where the Titans held a majority of their possession. Junior Liza Wiley (Bloomington, Ind.-Home School) took a crack on target, but it was quickly saved by IC's goalkeeper. McMahon created her own chance but missed just left going into the 55th minute.
Haun drove a pass down the line into the Lady Blues' defensive territory before sending a pass to Mapes in the box. The senior completed a brace with her second goal of the night to boost the lead to 3-1 in the 59th minute.
The goal proved to be the final tally of the night as Illinois Wesleyan closed out the match with its fourth straight home win.
The Titans will hit the road to Platteville, Wisconsin to face off against University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. Live coverage can be accessed here.
