NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team drew 2-2 in its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener against No. 16 North Central College Saturday, Sept. 26. The Titans remain unbeaten 4-0-5 while the Cardinals' win streak breaks to a 7-0-1 record on the season.
The Titans came out looking to get the upper hand on the No. 16 Cardinals to start the half. Senior captain Sophie Lampert (Hudson, Ill.-Normal West) had the first shot low left of the goal but was saved by NCC.
The Green and White offense did not stop knocking on North Central's door. When IWU was granted a free kick, taken by junior Vanessa Gray (Burlington, Ontario, Canada-Dr. Frank J. Hayden), Gray kicked it in the box for junior Taylor Haun (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township) to head deep in the net to give IWU the 1-0 lead 5:30 into the contest.
The Cardinals found two shots but each were missed wide before finding the equalizer in the 14th minute on a penalty kick.
The Titans and Cardinals would exchange shots for the rest of the half, but strong defense from both teams kept the contest deadlocked going into the second half.
IWU saw just four shots with three on target compared to NCC's eight with one on target. The Titans saw no corner kicks while the Cardinals found three at the corner.
The Titans came out as strong as they started the first half, despite the Cardinals finding opportunities to take the lead first.
In the 52nd minute, a pass from Haun found its way to junior Liza Wiley (Bloomington, Ind.-Home School), where Wiley hit from well outside the box to break the draw, 2-1.
Going into the 69th minute, North Central found the game-tying goal low to the ground to tie the contest once more at 2-2.
The Titans kept pushing in the Cardinals' territory with shots by Haun and Wiley, but each opportunity was saved by North Central as the game ended in a deadlock.
The Titans saw 11 shots with seven on target compared to the Cardinals' 23 shots, three on goal.
The Titans will host Carthage College on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. during Homecoming weekend. Live coverage of the contest can be found here.
