McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University's women's soccer team achieved its first win of the season with a decisive 5-0 victory over Knox College on Wednesday evening in Galesburg, Illinois. The standout performance came from freshman Liza Wiley, who scored her first career hat trick. With this win, Illinois Wesleyan improves to a 1-4 record, while Knox falls to 0-4.

Wiley led the Titans with eight shots, six on target, resulting in three goals. Her hat trick is the first for a Titan since Caelyn Steffens achieved the feat against Elmhurst on October 19, 2022. Wiley is only the seventh freshman in Illinois Wesleyan history to score a hat trick and the first since 2013. Freshmen Ellen Dahlquist and Taylor Haun also scored their first career goals during the match.

Goalkeepers Grace Kiewiet and Ella Randall shared time in goal for Illinois Wesleyan. Kiewiet played for the first 59 minutes and made three saves before Randall took over for the final 31 minutes, recording one save. Overall, Illinois Wesleyan had 22 shots on goal compared to Knox's four and held an advantage in corner kicks with six to none.

The Titans began aggressively as three players attempted shots within the first three minutes of play. Wiley scored her first career goal in the 14th minute with a shot to the top right corner of the net.

Illinois Wesleyan maintained control throughout most of the opening half. Junior captain Bree Cordray assisted Wiley's second goal by setting up a one-on-one opportunity against Knox's goalkeeper, giving Illinois Wesleyan a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Early in the second half, Dahlquist capitalized on an opportunity when she drew Knox's goalkeeper out of position and scored her first career goal, extending Illinois Wesleyan's lead to 3-0. Despite back-and-forth play during much of the second half, Wiley completed her hat trick by scoring again.

With just three minutes remaining in regulation time and holding a 4-0 lead, Haun added another goal for Illinois Wesleyan to secure their shutout victory over Knox.

The Titans will take a break over the weekend before returning to action against No.1 Washington University in St. Louis at Francis Olympic Field on September 17.