by Eric Willuweit

Chicago, Ill. – Kelly Hitchcock scored the game-winning goal with just over four minutes to play, and the Illinois Tech women's soccer team kept North Park hemmed into their own defensive end for the remainder of the match, as the Scarlet Hawks defeated the Vikings 3-2 Tuesday night at North Park. The Scarlet Hawks improved to 6-2-0 overall and are winners of their last two matches. The Vikings fell to 1-3-1.

How It Happened

• The Scarlet Hawks got on the board early in the first half. Nicole Fajardo's cross to Clàudia Martí Fanlo at the top of the left box was headed off the left post. The rebound slipped under Vikings goalkeeper Emily Lasalle and out to a waiting Amelia Moseman, who tapped it into the net for the 1-0 lead at the 2:45 mark.
• The Vikings responded three and a half minutes later. Off a North Park free kick, a shot was muzzled near the top of the box by Kaya Dreger, but the ball squirted past Scarlet Hawks defenders to Madeleine Haeger, who shot it into the net on the low right side, tying the score at 1-1.
• With the score still tied at 1-1 late in the match, the Scarlet Hawks were able to retake the lead at the 77:23 mark. Along the near sideline, Jayla Anaya fed the ball to a forwarding Jamie Griggs, who pushed a through ball to Lisa Rios. Rios outraced Viking's goalkeeper Lasalle for the ball and dribbled to her left, eluding Lasalle. Rios was able to corral the ball just to the left of the empty net and fired a shot into the right corner for the 2-1 lead.
• Less than 27 seconds later, the Vikings tied the match. Haeger stole the ball middle-high in the offensive zone, pushed the ball to Kajsa Mansson, who spun and chipped the ball back to Haeger. Haeger fired into the right corner of the net for her second goal of the match, tying the score at 2-2.
• Hitchcock netted the game-winning goal for the Scarlet Hawks at the 85:46 mark. After a goal kick by the Vikings Lasalle into Scarlet Hawks territory, Hali Parker recovered the ball along the near sideline and raced up field. Parker cut to the inside and passed to Hitchcock, who dribbled a few steps to her right and blasted a right-footer past Lasalle into the middle-right of the net for the final 3-2 margin of victory.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Hitchcock with game-winning goal at the 85:46 mark. She had 4 total shots and 2 shots on goal.
• Moseman scored her third goal over the last two games, with 2 total shots in the match.
• Lisa Rios with one goal on one shot on goal, to give the Hawks a late temporary lead.
• Fanlo, Griggs and Parker with key assists. Fanlo also added 6 shots and 1 shot on goal.
• Anaya starting the play on the Lisa Rios goal. She also had a late shot on goal prior to Hitchcock's game-winner that Vikings goalkeeper Lasalle made a huge save against.

Next Up

The Scarlet Hawks return to Stuart Field Wednesday, September 21^st at 7pm, when they host Alverno College in a NACC matchup.