CEDAR CITY, Utah – Western Illinois got a late goal from junior Jennifer Green and held on for a 1-1 tie against conference foe Southern Utah, Thursday, Oct. 8.
Green's goal in the 80th minute of the match pulled the Fighting Leathernecks (3-5-2, 0-1-1 Summit League) in to a tie with the Thunderbirds (3-7-2, 1-1-1 Summit League).
The goal came on a 45 yard free-kick that drove Thunderbird goalkeeper Charly Booth four feet into her own net following a Southern Utah foul. The Leathernecks held the Thunderbirds scoreless through the remainder of regulation and two overtime periods.
"Jenny just hit the ball really hard," Western Illinois head coach Tony Guinn said. "That was an amazing shot and she literally hit it so hard that Southern's goalkeeper had to catch the ball inside her own net."
Southern Utah got the first score of the game when Makell Southworth sent a sharp crossing pass to Shelby Ostler, who played the ball on to Erin Marble for the finish in the 26th minute of the match.
Western Illinois had a chance to take the lead early in the match, but Ali Smyth's header hit the post and bounced back into the field of play.
"Ali had a really nice chance to put us up but she just got unlucky," Guinn said. "We had several good chances throughout the night so I was really happy with our effort."
The Thunderbirds were able to hold Western scoreless until Green's goal in the 80th minute tied the match at 1-1.
"I was really happy with the way our girls battled all night, " Guinn said. "Cedar City sits at about 5,000 feet elevation so it's not an easy place to plauy because it really effects a player's energy level."
Western Illinois freshman goalkeeper Laura Atkinson got the start and made a career-high 14 saves, including three crucial saves in the second overtime period. Atkinson improved her record to 0-1-1 on the season and also improved her goals against average to 1.23 and save percentage to .912.
"Laura was absolutely phenomenal tonight," Guinn said. "She kept us in the game and the saves she made in overtime kept us from losing this one. She's been great in each of her last two times out."
Jennifer Green led all Western players with four shots, including three on goal. Kellie Julius chipped in with two shots on goal and Katie Condon and Nora Potempa each had one shot on goal apiece.
"I thought our girls did great tonight," Guinn said. "Kellie Julius really created a lot of problems for them. I've never seen her play so well, she gave them headaches all night."
The Leathernecks were outshot in the match by a 25 to 16 margin, including 15 to eight in shots on goal, but Western had 12 shots in the final three periods to Southern Utah's nine. The Thunderbirds committed 24 fouls to Western's 13. Both teams finished with four corner kicks each.
"I'm thrilled with the result and the heart we showed," Guinn said. "This is the first time we've gone to Southern Utah and come away without a loss so it's huge for us."
Western Illinois will travel to UMKC for a 1 p.m. match, Saturday, Oct. 10 before returning home against South Dakota State on Oct. 16.
