WATERLOO, Iowa – Miranda Graham scored her first collegiate goal as Western Illinois extended its regular-season unbeaten streak to five matches with a 1-0 victory at Northern Iowa on Wednesday.
The Fighting Leathernecks (4-3-3) improved to 3-0-1 in their past four matches while the Panthers (2-8-1) dropped their second consecutive contest. The match marked the final non-conference contest of the season for the Leathernecks.
"We're playing really good soccer right now," said head coach Tony Guinn. "This is a great win for us heading into conference play this weekend. As a whole our team played really well today and we had great possession the entire time."
Western got on the board in the 44th minute when Graham sent in a corner kick that when untouched and found the side netting of the back post for the game-winner.
The Leathernecks dominated the first half of play, outshooting the Panthers by a 12 to two margin in the first frame, including a five to one edge in shots on goal.
"Overall I thought Northern Iowa played very hard," said Guinn. "They're well-organized and well-coached and they've been playing very well lately."
Northern Iowa used the wind to its advantage in the second half, firing off seven shots including four on target. The Panthers nearly found the equalizer in the 83rd minute, but Leatherneck goalkeeper Laura Atkinson made a diving stop to her left to preserve the lead.
"Laura came up big for us again today," said Guinn. "I thought a lot of players really stepped up for us. The play from our back line was outstanding and any time you can get a win on the road you'll take it."
Western Illinois ended the match with a 17 to nine edge in shots, including a seven to five advantage in shots on goal. The Leathernecks were awarded just one corner to Northern Iowa's two and committed nine fouls to the Panthers seven.
Atkinson (3-2-3) recorded her third clean sheet of the season to put her just two shutouts away from tying the single-season program record of five.
Ali Smyth led all Leathernecks with four shots and four others recorded two shots. Graham led the team with two shots on goal while Caitlin Barrett, Jenny Green, Nora Potempa, Jordan Spaciel and Hannah VanEndenburg each recorded one.
Western Illinois will open Summit League action when it plays host to UMKC on Friday and Southern Utah on Sunday.
