MARION, Ind. - No. 7 Women's Soccer took on another NAIA Top 25 opponent in No. 18 Grace College Wednesday night at home. The first half opened with IWU establishing their defensive presence, highlighted by reigning NAIA and Crossroads Defensive Player of the Week Avery Sluss making multiple key saves. The Wildcats managed to create offensive opportunities, with attempts by Avery Williams and Sydney Couch, though both efforts missed the target. Despite persistent pressure from the Lancers, IWU's defense held firm, concluding the half with a 0-0 scoreline. The second half looked much cleaner for the Wildcats as their defense and offense both played disciplined soccer. After being outshot in the first half, the home team's offense flipped the script and tripled the Lancer's shot output in the second period, 9-3. As the match progressed, both sides got more aggressiveness trying to break the deadlock. At the turn of the final minute, IWU finally broke through as freshman Avery Williams received a quick pass from Sarah Foulk and slid past the defender pushing the ball with her heel right by the goalkeeper. This goal marked Williams' seventh of the season and secured a 1-0 victory for Indiana Wesleyan, handing the Lancers their first loss of the season.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Marion, Ind. | IWU Soccer Field
- Records: IWU: 8-1-1 (2-0-1) | GC: 9-1-2 (2-1-0)
- NAIA Top-25 Poll: IWU - #7 | GC - #18
WHAT HAPPENED
- Neither side could push past each others defense in the first period with Avery Sluss making 4 easy saves.
- The Wildcats flipped the script in the second half and upped the aggressiveness. The offense would go on to oushoot the Lancers 9-3 in the second half.
- Avery Williams scored for the second game in a row in the last minute on a sliding play past a defender and the goalkeeper after an assist from Sarah Foulk.
KEY WILDCATS
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- 6: Reigning NAIA Defensive Player of the Week Avery Sluss continues to play incredible soccer as she recorded a season high 6 saves in her 4th straight shutout.
- 7: Avery Williams scored her seventh goal of the season tonight and her second in 2 straight games.
- .40: After tonight's game, Sluss is ranked 5th in the NAIA for Average Goals Allowed at 0.40.
WILLIAMS PERSPECTIVE
- "I thought it was a great game and a great team win," said forward Avery Williams. "We contributed much better together in the second half, completing passes and working as a team much better. I'm really grateful for the pass that Sarah gave and for the blessing that God gave us as a team as we were able to pull it off and to be a testimony and light to the other team."
LOOKING FORWARD
- IWU goes to Huntington University on Saturday, October 4th for a match at 5:00 PM.
- Links for video and stats are available at IWUWildcats.com.
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