By Jami Sponaugle

Lake Forest, Ill. - With yet another dominant victory, the Illinois Tech women's soccer team clinched a spot in the Northern Athletic Collegiate (NACC) Conference postseason tournament. The Scarlet Hawks defeated the University of Concordia Chicago Maroons 4-0 while on the road Wednesday. Four different Hawks found the back of the net during the victory. 

How It Happened

• Holding much of the possession through the first half, the Hawks fought to place shots on frame. The breakaway goal came in the 30th minute of action. Kelly Hitchcock gave the Hawks their first goal of the match off a Kayla Smith assist. With the Hawks receiving the corner kick, Smith stepped up to take it. Smith passed the ball backwards to Katelyn Holcomb. Holcomb returned the ball back to Smith, who faced up to take on the Cougar defender. Smith beat her defender, dribbling the ball towards the endline before passing a square ball across the front of the net to a defenderless Hitchcock. Hitchcock was able to redirect the ball and put the Hawks up 1-0 over the Cougars. 

• With time ticking down before halftime, the Hawks received a free kick about 38 yards out from goal. Lucy Jorjorian took the kick for the Hawks, sending the ball inside the 18-yard box, near the penalty kick area. Gabriella Baltes found herself on the backend of the kick and was able to redirect the ball to send it over the Cougars goalkeepers hands and into the back of the net. At the 44th minute, the Hawks led the Cougars 2-0.

• The Hawks quickly received the ball with a throw in after the Cougars kick-off went out of bounds. With the Hawks now in possession, the ball quickly entered the offensive side of the field where Nicole Fajardo received a long, over the top pass from Baltes. Gaining control of the ball just outside the 18-yard box, Fajardo dribbled past her defender, placing herself in the center of the goal. Still outside the 18-yard box, Fajardo ripped a shot, sending the ball into the lower left hand corner, beating the diving Cougar goalkeeper. With the goal coming right before halftime, the Hawks entered the locker room with a 3-0 lead over the Cougars. 

• It took Illinois Tech just over six minutes to continue right where they left off. Clàudia Martí Fanlo gave the Hawks their fourth goal of the match in the 52nd minute off a Kenzie Tokuchi assist. Tokichi dribbled the ball down the right side of the field and created space between her and her defender to send an airborne ball to the center of the 18-yard box. Martí Fanlo was able to beat her defender to get in front of her and jumped to meet the ball and knocked it into the goal to put the Hawks up 4-0. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Hitchcock, Baltes, Fajardo, and Martí Fanlo notched the Hawks four goals. 

• Smith, Jorjorian, Baltes, and Tokuchi all picked up an assist during the match.

• Sophia Rodriguez, Sarah Thomas, and Cheryl Gardner all shared time in goal for the Hawks. Each goalkeeper completed one save to keep the shut out.  

Inside the Box Score

• During the first 45 minutes of action, the Hawks held a 10-1 shot advantage over the Cougars. The Cougars placed their only shot on frame while the Hawks shot 6 on frame. 

• Overall, the Hawks had 21 shots, 13 on goal, while the Maroons had 4 shots, 3 on goal.

• The Maroons finished with 9 saves while the Hawks had 3.

• Illinois Tech held a 7-1 corner kick advantage.

• The Hawks committed 7 fouls during the 90 minutes of play while the Maroons committed 2. 

Up Next

Immediately back in action tomorrow, the Hawks return to Stuart Field as they welcome the University of Chicago Maroons for the final non-conference match-up of the 2022 season. Kick-off between the two sides is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.