MARION, Ind. -- Lizzie Rittenhouse (JR/Marion, Ind.) scored from long distance and that goal was the difference in a 1-0 win by Indiana Wesleyan University women’s soccer in the Indiana Wesleyan-Taylor Rivalry Game sponsored by Marion General Hospital at Wildcat Field.

“The goal by Lizzie Rittenhouse is a team goal,” said Wildcat head coach Tim Strader. “We were pushing forward and special players make special plays. And in this case she provided the game-winner for us and that was huge momentum. That was a quality strike.”

The goal came from nearly 40 yards out for Rittenhouse. The long strike isn’t the first for Rittenhouse this year as she also connected from nearly 30 yards out on a goal against No. 7 Grace (Ind.) less than two weeks ago. This score came in the 47th minute and is her team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Indiana Wesleyan also gained a key defensive play late to preserve the victory. An initial save by IWU keeper Alex Seabeck (FR/Fort Wayne, Ind.) led to a second opportunity by Taylor’s Hadlee Yescott. Indiana Wesleyan defender Katie Pannabecker (SR/Leo, Ind.) slid over to make an outstanding stop on the ball to keep the match 1-0 in favor of IWU.

“Again that was a team play,” stated Strader. “There were multiple players in that box and KP was in the right area at the right time. Alex Seabeck made a big save for us on the first one. I can’t say enough about our team defending tonight. That play epitomized what our job was, to play a full 90.”

The 1-0 win gives the Wildcats a second straight shutout. The IWU defense has not allowed a goal in 257 minutes 35 seconds dating back to a goal in the 13th minute at Bethel (Ind.) on September 29.

“We pride ourselves on our defensive work,” Strader said. “That is our staple, how we defend. We’re disciplined and patient and we defend as a unit. We make it difficult for teams to score goals and that is two shutouts in consecutive games.”

Indiana Wesleyan improves to 6-5-1 this season and 2-1-1 in Crossroads League matches while Taylor falls to 6-6-1 and 2-2-0 in league play.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to action this weekend with a contest at Goshen (Ind.). The match kicks off at 7 p.m. on Saturday.