MACOMB, Ill.- It was sophomore Keeley Murray's birthday on Friday but she ended up giving the Westerwinds a big present as she scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give her team the 1-0 win over Illinois State.

In the 93rd minute of the game, Murray (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) received a cross from senior Robyn Rupyers (Petrolia, Ontario/Lambton Central Collegiate) and was able to push a shot past Redbirds keeper Katie Grill-Donovan. Murray's golden goal, and her second of the season, gave the Westerwinds (4-1-0) the overtime victory. Ruypers' assist was her third assist of the season.

"Coach (Guinn) was saying how the far side was open all day," said Murray. "Robyn put the ball on a string and I didn't have to do much but put it in."

"It was great to get the game-winning goal on my birthday," stated Murray. "The fans were great and just to win a game like this is amazing."

Sophomore Meghan Tyk (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay) was in goal for all 93 minutes for the Westerwinds and tallied four saves in her second consecutive shutout.

"We defended very well today," said head coach Tony Guinn. "They put a lot of pressure on us and Meghan Tyk did an excellent job. She was tested a couple times where she had to leave her feet and she came up big."

The Westerwinds received strong performances from multiple seniors. Ruypers had the assist on the game-winning goal and Bess Rapp (Lincoln, Neb./Southeast) slid back from midfield to defense to shut down Redbird forward Shannon Duggan. Misako Inaba (Kashiwa, Japan/Yachiyoshoin) and Kelly Warner (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard South) also chipped in to Western's overtime victory.

"In the last seven minutes of the game, Coach Luecht told me to move Bess (Rapp) back to defend their number 12 (Duggan)," stated Guinn. "She did a wonderful job of shutting her down. I also can't say enough about (Misako) Inaba and Kelly (Warner). They were awesome today and they just have so much heart."

The Westerwinds will play one more at home this weekend as they host defending conference champions Oakland at 11 a.m. Sunday, September 16. Western Illinois will be looking to revenge last year's loss in the conference championship game that they dropped in penalty kicks.