MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois women's soccer team won their season opener on Friday beating Southern Indiana 2-1. The win was the first win for first-year head coach Tony Guinn at Western Illinois. It was also his first Division I win.

With 11:18 remaining on the clock, senior Bess Rapp received a pass from fellow senior Robyn Ruypers and snuck a shot past Screaming Eagles' goalkeeper Meagen Homolla to give the Westerwinds a 2-1 lead.

“It was an amazing play by the rest of the girls,” stated Rapp. “Kelly (Warner) sent a great through ball in the corner to Robyn (Ruypers). She sent a great pass across the middle and when Katelyn (Wisner) faked a shot, I was waiting there to knock it in the goal.”

Southern Indiana (0-2-0) got on the board first in the 47th minute when senior Katie Grossman raced down the sideline and put a long shot up that went over the outstretched hands of Westerwinds keeper Jessica Walsh.

The Westerwinds fought back to tie the game when, four minutes later, Ruypers found a hole in the Screaming Eagle's defense that she was able to take advantage of for a breakaway goal.

After taking the lead over with just over 11 minutes left in the game, the Westerwinds switched to defense. They dropped players back and ran the time out to escape with their 2-1 victory.

“We changed the system and played more defensive,” stated Guinn. “We put more people behind the ball and closed the game out.”

Western Illinois used two keepers, sophomore Meghan Tyk and freshman Jessica Walsh, to combine for six saves and just the one goal allowed.

“We are fortunate to get a win today,” said Guinn. “But it shows a lot of character to be down 1-0 in the second half with 40 minutes left and still stick two goals in the back of the net. I thought Southern Indiana played really hard and they pushed us to the limit.”

The Westerwinds take on the Green Bay Phoenix on Sunday, Sept. 2, at John MacKenzie Alumni Field at 3 p.m.