MACOMB, Ill. - In the team's first taste of competitive play with a new offensive plan, Western Illinois women's soccer (0-1, 0-0) led Northern Iowa (2-0, 0-0) in shots 14 to nine in their 2012 season opener. However, the squad could not find the back of the net as the Panthers went on to record their second win of the season 1-0.

The Leathernecks controlled possession in the first half creating several good looks and one-on-one matchups. Chrissy Campbell paced the squad with two shots on goal forcing Panther keeper Erin Zaideman to make two saves in the first 30 minutes of play.

The rest of Western's shots were spread around the team with Kellie Julius and Sarah Hall taking two, while Sloane Levin, Amber Davis, Abby Davis, Taylor Henning, Amy Bennett and Kristin Becker each fired one apiece.

Defensively Victoria Kappel and the back line kept the Panthers at bay until the 52nd minute when Maggie Welch bounced the eventual game winning goal into the back of the net from short range.

Western took nine shots in the second period, four more than in the first, in an effort to even the match.

"I thought we were the dominant team in the first half," Ted Flogaites said. "We created chance after chance after chance. I think that when you create around seven or eight one-on-ones, you have to be a lot more efficient in front of the goal and bury one or two. We didn't take our chances well, although we did a super job creating them."

Kappel ended the game with three saves, while Zaideman tallied four.

Western Illinois returns to action on Friday (August 24) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The match is slated to begin at 4 p.m.

#WIUAthletics