EVANSVILLE - Capitalizing on a second half opportunity from the spot, the University of Evansville women's soccer team captured a 1-0 win over Northern Iowa at Arad McCutchan Stadium on Thursday evening in Evansville, Ind.
Finding the back of the net in back-to-back games, junior Brielle LaBerge recorded her fifth goal of the season, doing so from the penalty spot to life the Aces to the win. In goal, graduate keeper Bri Chirpich recorded her second shutout of the season, posting six saves in Evansville's win. In all, Evansville outshot the Panthers, 15-13, but UNI held the advantage in shots on-goal, 6-3.
Early on in the contest, the Aces were tasked with withstanding an aggressive attack from the visiting Panthers. Inside the first four minutes of the contest, UNI recorded a trio of shots, including a chance in the fourth minute that deflected off the crossbar and narrowly missed giving the Panthers the opening goal. In the 35th minute, UNI tested Chirpich again with a shot that forced a save from the experienced Aces keeper as both sides went to the break locked in a scoreless tie.
Each side's attack upped the intensity a notch in the early going of the second half. A shot from senior Brooklyn Robinson off a corner kick was deflected out of the 18, but regathered by the Aces and recycled to LaBerge who looped in a shot from 25 yards out that was saved by the Panthers. The two sides would trade shots back and forth for much of the middle portion of the second period until Evansville earned a chance in the 74th minute. After a shot from LaBerge was saved and pushed out of the 18 yard box, a collision towards the edge of the box was challenged by the Aces Head Women's Soccer Coach Chris Pfau. Following a video review, it was determined a foul had occurred inside the box and the Aces were awarded a penalty kick. LaBerge stepped to the spot and calmly finished past the Panthers keeper to give Evansville the 1-0 advantage.
With the one-goal advantage, Evansville locked-in defensively as the Panthers recorded just three shots in the final 25 minutes of the match with none coming on frame as the Aces captured the crucial conference victory.
The Aces face a quick turnaround with their next match coming on the road at Valparaiso on Sunday in Valparaiso, Ind.
