MACOMB, Ill. – Ali Smyth's goal in the 86th minute helped Western Illinois to a 1-0 victory over Southern Utah in Summit League action on Sunday, Oct. 3.
Smyth's goal came
on a header off a corner kick at the 85:26 mark of regulation. Nora
Potempa was credited with the assist on the goal, which was Smyth's
first of the season.
"I'm not the tallest player on the field so when I saw the ball come in I knew I really had to fight to get to it," Smyth said. "It's a huge boost for us to pick up this win today. We're playing extremely well right now."
The Fighting Leathernecks (6-3-3, 2-0 Summit) extended their current unbeaten streak to seven matches. Western is currently riding a three-match winning streak and has also won its last six regular-season matches in league play dating back to last season.
"I thought today was a very hard-fought match," said head coach Tony Guinn. "We've been playing really well lately and today we finally had some breaks go our way. I think we've been very good on our set pieces this year and it paid off for us today."
Neither team was able to find a solid scoring chance in the first half as the teams combined for just one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes of play.
Both offenses would come alive in the second half as the teams combined for 14 second-half shots, including six shots on goal. The Leathernecks nearly scored in the 51st minute, but Southern Utah goalkeeper Charly Booth made an diving save on a shot from Laura Lins to keep the match scoreless.
Western would find several more scoring chances in the second half before Smyth's game-winner. Jordan Spaciel and Nora Potempa each had quality chances, but were turned away by Booth.
The Thunderbirds had a golden opportunity to equalize on a last second shot, but Leatherneck sophomore Sarah Blaase made the signature play of the match when she blocked a shot just before the final horn to seal the win.
"The final shot was probably the most nerve-wracking moment of my life," Blaase said. "We've been working very hard in practice on having our defense set properly on corner kicks and I was in the right spot."
Laura Atkinson (5-2-3) tied the Western Illinois record for single-season shutouts with her fifth of the season. The sophomore goalkeeper has now recorded six clean sheets in her career.
Western outshot Southern Utah by a 13 to nine margin, including six to two in shots on goal. The Leathernecks were awarded eight corner kicks, four in each half, while the Thunderbirds were given two corners.
Western Illinois will take its first road-trip in league play when it faces North Dakota State at 4 p.m. on Friday before playing South Dakota State at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
