CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Paige Stark scored the game-winning goal for Western Illinois leading the Westerwinds to a 4-1 victory over Northern Iowa, Sunday, in women's soccer action. Western (6-4-0) picked up its second straight win and the Panther Invitational title. Ashley Hoch got the assist on Stark's goal.

"That game was absolutely fantastic," said Western head coach, Kevin Sherry. "Our ladies played such beautiful soccer. We got everyone in and we finally started getting the awards we deserved from our hard work."

Keeley Murray and Jessicah Hughes helped put the game away with back-to-back goals. Murray got an unassisted goal in the 53rd minute and then Hughes scored off of a cross from Robyn Ruypers in the 73rd minute.

It was Stark's and Murray's first goals of the year.

The Panthers actually led early after scoring a goal at the 36:14 mark when Lindsey Daughtery scored off a dual assist from Sarah Otten and Meghan Schoeberl.

"We never let ourselves get down then they scored first," said Sherry. "We came right back and got our just rewards."

Western answered back just over a minute later when Liz Remes scored her first goal of the season at the 37:24 mark to tie the game at one.

Stark then scored her goal in the 44th minute.

"Our defense with Paige and Liz, along with the rest of the defense, has played so well this year," said Sherry. "If it wasn't for their hard effort, we don't where we would be. Even with the four losses, it was our defense that kept us in there to have a chance to win. They are our foundation to which this team is built on."

The Westerwinds outshot the Panthers 25-9 and took 16 shots on goal. Northern took nine shots on goal.

This was Western's third straight win over the Panthers and second straight against UNI this season. The Westerwinds defeated Northern Iowa by the same score, Aug. 27, at MacKenzie Alumni Field. Over the last three matchups, Western has defeated Northern Iowa by a combined score of 12-1.

Western is half way through its road trip and will finish it this week. First, it will travel, Des Moines, Iowa to play Drake, Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. and then it will play two games in Cedar City, Utah before returning home Oct. 7.