Thunder defeats Titans in OT, 3-2

In what can best be described as a gutty and gritty performance, the Titans certainly made the #1 ranked team in the nation at least a little nervous last night. Scoring just 2 minutes into the game to take the lead and then with four minutes remaining to tie the score, IWU stretched the Thunder into overtime for only the second time this season before Wheaton got the game winner just 3 minutes into the extra session.

We scored both of our goals off turnovers, something we talk with our team a lot about not giving away ourselves because of just this reason. For the first, Caroline Leighton stole the ball from Bethany Barton in midfield, carried the ball about 25 yards at a good angle, and played a through pass to Elizabeth Sinclair. The pass ended up just inside the penalty box and Elizabeth beat the keeper to the ball and clipped it past her for a 1-0 lead, the first such lead IWU has had against Wheaton since 2003.

Wheaton equalized when one of their players dribbled down the endline and served a ball into the goalbox. In an effort to clear it, there was a bit of miscommunication between our players and the ball ended up deflecting off a green shirt into the goal. A bit unfortunate and possibly avoidable, but again speaks to something we talk about all the time: when you put the defense on their heels and make dangerous service, something good could happen for you one way or another. That's exactly what happened against us on that play.

But we got to halftime at 1-1. I told the team at the break to expect an onslaught from the Thunder and sure enough that's what we got. They broke us down on the flanks, and earned corner kick after corner kick, in addition to putting our goalkeeper and back four under constant pressure for about 30 minutes in the second half. However, we got some luck and kept fighting and kept the game at 2-1, setting up some late game heroics.

Our second goal once again started when we stole the ball (thanks Lindsey Iseler) in their end. We caught them out of shape a bit and once Elizabeth turned with the ball she had a ton of time and space to line up her shot from the top of the box. It was a beauty that found the opposite side netting and sent the game into overtime.

I was really proud of the effort and determination displayed by the girls. We were undermanned due to injuries, and probably overmatched in ability but the team held strong and gave it their very best right 'til the end. It was a great result considering the alternative which could have seen the team play uninspired soccer given the task we had at hand. However, that didn't seem to cross the minds of our players and we at least caused the #1 team a bit of discomfort at home.

We end at a disappointing 7-8-3, our program's first losing season in 13 years. We have a lot of work to do to improve as I know nobody wants to see the same results in 2008. Hopefully we'll all be up to the task in the next 10 months before we play our first game of 2008 on August 30.

Thanks to all of the fans who came out to support the team last night and all season long. The parents, families, alumnae, and friends were all great this year in supporting our efforts. Hopefully we'll have more to cheer about next year!

Go Titans!