PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team draws 2-2 with the University of Wisconsin–Platteville Saturday, Sept. 19 at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. The Titans advance to 4-0-4 on the season, while the Pioneers are 2-2-3. IWU has seen all four draws on the road.
Junior Liza Wiley (Bloomington, Ind.-Home School) would have the first chance for IWU, but the shot was blocked. UW-Platteville, after several missed opportunities, found themselves in the Green and White's box. The Pioneers would get the upper hand 1-0 with 25 minutes left in the first half.
UW-Platteville stayed consistent in the Titans' box, but IWU's offense didn't give up. Junior captain Ellen Dahlquist (Peoria, Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame) shot deep right but was saved by the Pioneer's goalie. Wiley grabbed the rebound from Dahlquist and shot far from UW-Platteville's box to equalize the contest 1-1 with 15 minutes remaining.
Wiley's goal helped create momentum for the Titan's front line. With three minutes left to spare in the contest, junior Taylor Haun (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township) scored to break the Titan's out of the draw 2-1.
Going into the break, IWU had six shots, four on goal compared to the Pioneers five shots, one on goal. UW-Platteville saw three corner kicks while the Titans had just one.
Senior captain Sophie Lampert (Hudson, Ill.-Normal Community) wasted no time, getting the ball rolling for the Titans in the second half. Lampert took the ball straight from kickoff to give IWU insurance, but her shot was quickly saved by the Pioneer's goalie.
UW-Platteville kept knipping on the heels of the Titans' defense, putting pressure in IWU territory. After two missed shots, the Pioneers found the equalizer at 68:44 to tie the contest 2-2. The Green and White fought to get another shot off; however, UW-Platteville would contain the Titans' scoring chances to a minimum, leaving Wisconsin with a draw.
The Pioneers outshot the Titans 11-9, the first time this season an opponent has had more shots. Senior Adriana Ruffolo (Bloomingdale, Ill.-Glenbard North) had two saves compared to UW-Platteville's three. The Titans are now on eight-straight contests without a loss.
The Titans will open conference play against No. 18 North Central College on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. with the IWU men's soccer team's contest against No. 21 NCC following.
