Sept. 15, 2005
Final Stats
ROMEOVILLE, Ill.--In what could be considered the biggest victory in program history, the Lewis University women's soccer team stunned fifth-ranked Wisconsin-Parkside 2-1.
The Flyers (4-3-1, 1-1-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference) scored a pair of first-half goals and then hung on in the second half to upset the two-time defending conference champion Rangers (5-1, 2-1 GLVC).
"We played an all-around great game," said Lewis head coach Bill Bruno. "We stuck to our game plan, won head balls and got everyone involved in the attack. This is our biggest win in my tenure as coach."
Wisconsin-Parkside had allowed just one goal in five games this season, before Lewis found the back of the net twice in the game's first 40 minutes.
Freshman
Heather Ywaniw gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead when she fired a shot from the right side of the goal area that sailed high and hit UWP goalkeeper Erica Higuchi in the hands. Ywaniw's shot was just high enough that Higuchi couldn't control it and the ball slipped through her hands and into the net. Fellow freshman
Caitlin Kelly earned the assist on the 32:45 goal.
Junior Jenna Volpi continued Lewis' first-half assault with a near identical goal to the one scored by Ywaniw. Volpi fired a shot from 10 yards out from the right side of the goal area and her shot once again trickled through Higuchi's outstretched hands and into the net at 40:53.
With desperation setting in, UWP increased its offensive pressure in the second half until the Rangers finally broke through. UWP's Erica Kollatz finished off a cross from Kelsey Johnson at 72:02 to trim the lead to one.
Lewis' defense held over the final 18 minutes despite intense pressure from the Rangers. Sophomore sweeper Allison Wilkerson and freshman Elaine Felten keyed Lewis' defense.
"Allison kept the team focused throughout the game," said Bruno. "She played a total 90-minute game where she controlled the back the whole game."
"This game was a huge step for our program, and we'll look to build on this the rest of the season," commented Bruno.
