MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois women's soccer team received a game-winning goal from junior Katelyn Wisner and defeated South Dakota State 1-0 to remain undefeated in Summit League play.

"It's a great win for us with the situation of both teams being undefeated in conference play," stated Western Illinois head coach Tony Guinn. "We had great possession in the second half and we kept plugging away and started to get some good looks at the goal. We finally got one in the back of the net."

After a scoreless first half, the Westerwinds (10-1-1, 4-0-0) switched to a more aggressive style of play in the second period. The change paid off in the 73rd minute of the game when senior Robyn Ruypers (Petrolia, Ontario/Lambton Central Collegiate) streaked down the left sideline and sent a cross to the far post. Wisner (Lenexa, Kan./Olathe East) was waiting at the far post and headed it past South Dakota State (4-4-3, 3-1-1 Summit League) keeper Nicole Lograsso.

"We got a lot more pressure on them in the second half," said Guinn. "We had the ball in their half a lot and they couldn't get the ball out easily. We got more opportunities because of that. I'm not sure that we would have won this game without making that change."

"Robyn did a great job with getting her cross over the top of the keeper," Wisner stated. "I just ran to the far post and was able to get a head on it."

Western's defense held strong in the second half, only allowing the Jackrabbits two shots. The Westerwinds now have four shutouts in a row with their last goal allowed dating back to Sept. 23 in a 5-1 defeat of William Woods. Sophomore goalkeeper Meghan Tyk (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay) made two saves in the shutout and now has five shutouts on the season.

"We're not letting anybody get through our defense," said junior defender Lainey Bruhn (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley West). "We're a defense as a whole, there is no one person that stands out."

"We're very well organized defensively," said Guinn. "They really like the system that they are playing in and they are very confident in themselves. They believe that no one can score on them. Which is the mentality to have as defenders because defense wins championships."

Wisner now has five goals on the season with all five coming against Summit League teams. Four of her goals have come within the last week.

"In the beginning of the season Katelyn was very unlucky," stated Guinn. "With her work ethic, how hard she plays, and how positive she remains, she just keeps plugging away and eventually she has started getting some breaks and she'll only remain to be successful if she keeps working as hard as she does."

Western Illinois will travel to Ames, Iowa to play Iowa State Sunday, October 14, at 1 p.m. at ISU Soccer Complex. The Cyclones are ranked 10th in the Central Region with a 6-2-3 record.

"They're good, but we feel that we are just as good," said Bruhn. "With our physical conditioning we can play hard for all 90 minutes. We're just going to give them all that we have and hope for the best."