Rock Island, Ill. – The Wheaton women's soccer team,
ranked 22nd in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Top-25, lost a tough 2-1 decision in overtime at Augustana on Wednesday night.
Wheaton falls to 12-6-0 on the year and 4-2-0 in CCIW play. Augustana improves to 14-3-1 for the season and the Vikings move past Wheaton into second place in the CCIW standings with a 4-1-1 record.
Wheaton took the early 1-0 lead in today's matchup with the Vikings. Senior
Kristin Rauh (PICTURED ABOVE) got in front of the net and recorded her team-best 11
th goal of the season at the 26:32 mark of the match. Rauh's goal was assisted by
Hannah Hodge. Neither team had much opportunity in the first 45 minutes as Wheaton recorded two shots on the first half and the Vikings had none.
Augustana controlled the pace of the match in the second half and the hosts finally broke through as Hannah Lohmeier scored for the guests at 70:28 to tie the match at 1-1. Lohmeier's third goal of the year was by Bri Frys. The score remained tied at 1-1 for the final 19 minutes of the second half to send the matchup into overtime. The Vikings out-shot Wheaton 8-2 in the second half.
Augustana's Kelly Farell took the first shot of the first overtime just 4:21 into extra time. Farell's 14
th goal of the year was assisted by Lohmeier and was the game-winner at the 94:21 mark of the match.
Wheaton goalkeeper
Abbey Fuster made one save and allowed both Augustana goals in her 90 minutes of work in the Thunder net. Augustana netminder Meredith Chew allowed Rauh's first-half goal, the only shot she faced on Wednesday.
The Vikings out-shot the Thunder 9-4 in the match. The Vikings had a 3-1 edge in shots on goal in the match. Augustana was awarded two second-half corner kicks in the match and Wheaton had no corner kicks.
The Thunder will close out the regular season on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. when North Park visits Joe Bean Stadium for "Senior Night". Please Note: Due to a schedule conflict live video of Saturday's match against North Park will not be available, but be sure to follow the game on livestats.
