Western Illinois women's soccer was in action on Sunday (Sept. 25), defeating the Kansas City Roos 2-0 at the Northwest Field. The result marks western's fifth shutout in nine games as Emmy Ellington recorded her first goal of the 2022 season.
"We needed a strong response today after our game on Friday," head coach Josée Primeau said. "We came out today with energy, and sticking to our game plan worked really well… it was a really good outcome for us today.
Sarah De Gannes made her return to the lineup as Western came out firing early, recording 13 shots (six on target) before UMKC made an attempt at goal, which was saved by Isabel Navas Rodriguez. Andrews got on the scoresheet for the fifth-straight game with a goal in the 18th minute, taking a flicked-on header from Alex Bassen behind the Roo back line and making no mistake with the finish. Neither team would score the rest of the period and it was 1-0 in favor of Western Illinois at the break.
"Being able to have Sarah back in the lineup today was really good and allowed us to bump Emmy Ellington back into the midfield where I think she excels," Primeau said. "The presence in the back line was really good."
The lead was doubled in the 75th minute thanks to Ellington. After a ball over the top, Andrews found her way into the 18-yard box and played a ball on the ground across the face of goal, where Ellington finished from inside the 6-yard box. The goal was her first of the season and second of her career, while Andrews' assist was the first of the season. Western's defense did what it has done all season and held strong the rest of the way, with the Leathernecks taking their 2-0 advantage into the final whistle.
As a team, Western Illinois finished with 23 shots (nine on target), while taking four corner kicks and drawing seven fouls and blocking three shots. Isabel Navas Rodriguez made six saves in goal while seven Leathernecks featured off the bench. With another goalless opponent, Western is now tied with Denver for third in the Summit League for fewest goals allowed (12) and fourth for opponent average per game.
Andrews continues to stand alone at the top of the Summit League goal-scoring totals with her seventh of the season, also leading the league in shots (46) and shots on goal (25). Andrews entered the 2022 season as the all-time leading goal scorer in Leatherneck women's soccer history after scoring 12 last season, which was also a record. Another name to watch from the game, according to Coach Primeau? Malerie Rohweder.
"A dark horse today was Malerie Rohweder, I think she was a huge anchor for us in midfield. She was a big reason for our success in moving the ball forward and we were able to play through her, switch through her," Primeau said. "Defensively she did her job and had a presence, and a lot of what she does will never reflect on a stat sheet."
One season after finishing with three shutouts all season, the team has five shutouts in ten games thus far, and it's something Coach Primeau said has been an emphasis.
"I think we've made that a huge emphasis this year, our defensive presence, and the team worked really hard and takes a lot of pride in the way we play. I think the shutout is a reflection of their work ethic," Primeau said.
Western is back in action next weekend, heading north to face North Dakota on Friday (Sept. 30) and North Dakota State (Oct. 2).
Original source can be found here.
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