MARION, Ind. - No. 13 Women's Soccer took on No. 24 University of Northwestern Ohio in their home opener Wednesday night. It was an even matchup between two top 25 ranked teams with only 1 goal being what it took to get the job done. The Wildcats put pressure on early in the match and forced the UNOH defense to work hard. The first 8 minutes belonged to IWU before the Racers fought back with a bit of pressure of their own. IWU's defense held strong as the game started to even out. The only goal of the game happened in the 33rd minute when Sydney Couch fired a shot from well beyond the goalkeeper box after a rebound from a deflected pass. Couch has scored in both games for the Wildcats and ties Grosser for most goals on the team early in the year. Because of the great defense by Indiana Wesleyna, UNOH did not register a shot in the first half. After half, both teams battled intensely for the final 45 minutes. Both keepers made great saves and defense reigned supreme. As the match came to a close, IWU maintained the 1-0 advantage and walked away with the win.


THE ESSENTIALS

• Location: Marion, Ind. | IWU Soccer Field
• Records: IWU: 2-0-0 (0-0-0) | UNOH: 1-1-0 (0-0-0)
• NAIA Top-25 Poll: IWU - #13 | UNOH - #24

WHAT HAPPENED

• IWU controlled the ball heavily to start the game and prevented any attack from UNOH.
• Sydney Couch scored her second goal of the season in the 33rd minute with a well placed deep shot.
• The Wildcats kept the Racers from registering a shot in the first half, out shooting them 5-0.
• Neither team was able to put the ball in the net in the second half as both team played intense defense.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 11: IWU recorded 11 shots compared to UNOH"s 4.
• 9: The Wildcats kept the pressure on Northwestern Ohio all night, attempting 9 corner kicks compared only 2 for the opposition.
• 2: Sydney Couch scored her second goal of the season, setting a new career high in goals scored in a season.

DENTON PERSPECTIVE

• "Whenever we go against a ranked opponent, we know it's going to be a battle," said junior Aliyah Denton. "I'm proud how our team rose to the occasion! Sydney Couch scored a critical goal which fueled our confidence and led us to many other exciting moments. I love playing tough, smart and together with this team."

LOOKING FORWARD

• IWU returns to action on September 1 at Saint Xavier (Ill.).
• Links for video and stats are available at IWUWildcats.com.

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS

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