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WSOC
1
Eastern Mich. EMU (1-5-1, 0-0-0)
2
Winner Western Ill. WIU (6-2-0, 0-0-0)
Eastern Mich. EMU
(1-5-1, 0-0-0)
1
Final
2
Western Ill. WIU
(6-2-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Eastern Mich. EMU 1 0 1
Western Ill. WIU 1 1 2

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

Women's Soccer Wins Sixth Straight

The Leathernecks earned and converted two penalty kicks in the 2-1 victory.

The Western Illinois University Fighting Leatherneck women's soccer team was back in action on Friday (Sept. 17), defeating the Eastern Michigan Eagles 2-1 at John MacKenzie Alumni Field.
 
"It was definitely a lot closer than the last few games," associate head coach Josee Primeau said. "The heat was a factor, the way Eastern Michigan plays defensively was a challenge, it wasn't something we're used to, but we came out with a result at home and that's what is most important."
 
Starting an experienced lineup that featured regulars such as Angie Knies and Cassidy Grunewald, the Leatherneck defense was the first to give way, with the Eagles scoring in the 33rd minute. 20 seconds later, however, Western Illinois drew a penalty kick and Jenna Lundgren converted to tie the game at one. Nobody would score the rest of the half, and it was 1-1 when the horn sounded.
 
After a back-and-forth second half, Western Illinois finally got their chance in the 89th minute, drawing a penalty kick for the second time in the match. Once again, Jenna Lundgren stepped up to take it and, once again, she converted.
 
"We didn't let up offensively, drawing two PKs, which hasn't happened for us," Primeau said after the game. "It shows how determined Leah Ahlers and Bridget Schuler were at trying to get into the box and trying to be aggressive offensively."
 
The lead held and finished 2-1 in favor of the Leathernecks. This game was their sixth straight victory, which is tied for the second longest streak in program history. The program record is seven straight wins, which was set during the 2007 season.
 
"Streak or no streak the progress that we're seeing in the girls is the biggest thing, and the fact that they're doing it as a team is really something special," Primeau said. "We're trying to achieve bigger things than we did last year and we're always trying to move forward."
 
The Leathernecks were bolstered by strong showings from underclassmen, with Leah Ahlers, Rachel Balinao and Emma Brinkmann all playing meaningful minutes.
 
"Leah had a good day, she came in and filled a hole up front and she looked really natural up there. Rachel did really well, and then Natalie and Jenna just held it down in the midfield and our back line did really well," Primeau said. "Emma got to see some minutes, and she came in and did her job and was able to keep us going."
 
Western Illinois Women's Soccer will play one more this weekend, heading on the road to face Drake. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
 
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