Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

Sarah Hall vs USD
WIU Visual Productions Center
3
South Dakota USD (9-8-1, 2-4-2)
4
Winner Western Illinois WIU (5-12-1, 4-3-1)
South Dakota USD
(9-8-1, 2-4-2)
3
Final
4
Western Illinois WIU
(5-12-1, 4-3-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
South Dakota USD 0 3 3
Western Illinois WIU 4 0 4

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | WIU Athletic Communications

Seniors Lead Leathernecks to 4-3 Win Over Coyotes

Western Illinois finishes the year with a 5-12-1 record overall.

MACOMB, Ill. – Sarah Hall continued her impressive goal scoring streak with two more goals on Sunday (Nov. 2) in a 4-3 victory over South Dakota.  Hall, Amy Bennett, Sarah Wright, Lindsay Condon and Tiara Herron were honored prior to the match as part of Senior Day at John MacKenzie Alumni Field.

"It was a roller coaster," said head coach Ted Flogaites. "We were dominant in the first half and then we acted like the game didn't matter in the second half. It was very nervy and very tense. I don't think we win the game without the seniors. Our seniors have been very good all year. Sarah Hall is in absolutely ridiculous form and it's a shame the season is over. Every time she touches the ball it's a goal. But you have to congratulate Tiara and Lindsay who have done a great job of solidifying our team's defense in a major way."

Tiara Herron's free kick from 40-yards away caught South Dakota's Mackenzie Viktor on her heels, forcing the junior to punch the ball over the bar for a corner after 11 minutes of action.  Although the ensuing corner did not produce a chance for Western, the Leathernecks would take the lead three minute later. Alexis Morales sprung Sarah Hall behind the Coyote backline and the senior calmly put away her seventh goal of the season and sixth in four games. The assist was Morales' first as a Leatherneck.

As play entered the 20th minute, Western doubled its advantage thanks to Skyler Jessop. Brianna Hughes intercepted an errant pass from the Coyotes and found Jessop in the box. The junior finished the play off in style, finding the far post with the outside of her foot.

Hall scored her second of the match in the 27th minute, scoring from 30 yards out after the Coyotes' were unable to clear the ball. Jessop applied pressure to the Coyote defense, forcing the mistake. The ball settled for Hall who struck it first time and beat Viktor, sneaking her shot underneath the bar.

Amy Bennett nearly found herself on the scoresheet in the 34th minute, only to head home her second of the year three minutes later. Daniela Salinas collected the ball in the middle of the field and found Lindsey Kuitse on the right side. The junior's cross was met by Bennett and put on frame. Sydney Hardin, who replaced Viktor, made the initial save but the ball was mishandled and crossed the line, giving Western a 4-0 advantage after 45 minutes of play.

The Coyotes took advantage of the 20 m.p.h. winds in the second half, recording four shots in the first three minutes. Rebecca Sparkman took the fourth shot, which was punched onto the crossbar by goalie Lexi Harris, who entered the match for Western at the break. With the Coyotes pushing forward, the Leathernecks countered as Hall sent a dangerous cross into Jessop. The junior took the shot with her first touch but Hardin made a diving save.

South Dakota cut into the lead in the 61st minute of play, as Meagan Anderson was able to get around the Leatherneck defense and finish off her run with a shot to the far post. In the 73rd minute, Maddie Vang brought the lead to 4-2 on a corner that was not cleared by the Leathernecks. The attempted clearance hit off Vang's heel who was standing near the goal line. Western's advantage moved to 4-3 two minutes later. After a corner, Lauren Bennett's second cross into the box found the head of Rebecca Sparkman. Harris made the save but both Kylee Willer and Sparkman were on top of the rebound, with Sparkman getting the final touch on the ball. 

Harris made the biggest save of the afternoon late in the match, leaping to her left and denying Shannon Keller of the equalizer.

Western Illinois was eliminated from The Summit League Tournament earlier in the day after IUPUI defeated Omaha 2-0. The Leathernecks ended the 2014 season 5-12-1 overall and 4-3-1 in conference play.
 
Print Friendly Version