MACOMB, Ill - After the Western Illinois women's soccer team (3-5-1) scored three straight goals, the Northern Iowa Panthers (4-5) strung together a late rally, but WIU tamed the attack for a 3-2 victory on Monday (Sept. 23) to snap a four-game skid.
The match was initially scheduled on Sunday (Sept. 23), but severe weather in the area moved it to the next day at the Northwest Field.
Offense wasn't a question this time around for the Leathernecks as they put a stop to a four-game scoreless streak.
Even with a 2-0 lead, Western didn't miss a beat to start the second half. At the 53-minute mark, Cassidy Grunewald released a shot that was saved with the rebound finding the feet of Amy Andrews who tapped it in for her team-leading fourth goal. Grunewald earned her second assist, which is team-high.
Northern Iowa began their rally at the 79th minute when Johnnie Hill made it a 3-1 contest. Just five minutes later, Sophia Conant (84') found the back of the net to make it a one-goal game, but the Western backline regrouped and held on.
It was a pair of first season goals by Zoe Clarke (15') and Jenna Lundgren (40') that gave the Leathernecks a 2-0 advantage. Lundgren sent a perfect cross to Clarke in the near side of the box and she one-timed her shot past the diving keeper for the 1-0 lead.
Lundgren was again part of the offense for the Purple and Gold at the end of the first half. The junior positioned herself to secure the ball off a failed clearance and nailed a rocket that couldn't be gathered in by the UNI goalie for her first goal of the season in the 40th minute.
Early on Ines Palmiero Herrera again made her mark for the program. A save in the 6th minute moved her to fourth all-time in saves. She denied four more UNI shots to advance her career total to 224 saves. The senior now aims to crack the top three and pass Victoria Kappel (2011-15) who has 274 saves.
WIU fired shots right out of the gate as they totaled 13 in the first half and 18 for the game which set a new season-high.
Western Illinois snaps the four-game setback and earns their third victory at home. They now play host to Chicago State on Sunday (Sept. 29) at 1 p.m. to close out non-league play.
