EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE women's soccer recorded a season high in shots for the second straight game and downed Western Illinois 3-2 Sunday at Korte Stadium.
It was the first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season for the Cougars, which improved to 2-9-2 overall and 1-2-1 in the OVC. Western Illinois dropped to 1-13 overall and 0-4 in the OVC.
SIUE's offense outshot Western Illinois 17-9 and kept WIU goalkeeper Ariel Bernard busy with a strong offensive performance.
The eventual game winner came at 59:15 by Claire Nieroda. The Cougar freshman was fouled just outside the box. She looked down five Western Illinois defenders and buried the ball to the left of Bernard on the free kick. It was Nieroda's first goal of the season and her collegiate career.
The Cougars also led the game early when Savannah DeFini scored her team-leading third goal of the season. She turned around in the box from the right side at 17:31 and fired it at the goal. The ball when off Bernard's hands and over into the goal.
After Western Illinois tied the game at 29:09 on a goal by Abigail Schilling, the Cougars regained the lead at 31:50 when Aleah Minehart evaded two defenders in the box and pushed the ball through left side of the net.
The Leathernecks pulled within one on a goal by Claire Bown at 65:08, but the Cougar defense held them off.
Sarah Bozeman collected the win in goal for the Cougars. She finished with three saves.
SIUE's next action is Thursday at Korte Stadium against Lindenwood. Game time is 7 p.m.
