McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team will play its final home game of the season on Wednesday, October 22, at 7 p.m. against North Central College at Neis Field. The Titans are coming off two consecutive wins and hold a 7-6-2 overall record, including 2-2-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).

Illinois Wesleyan recently secured a 3-1 victory over Elmhurst University on October 18, moving the team to fifth place in the conference standings with seven points. In that match, junior Sophie Lampert and sophomore Taylor Haun scored for the Titans. Lampert opened the scoring after passes from sophomore Liza Wiley and junior Ava Mapes. Mapes also assisted Haun's goal in the 53rd minute, giving IWU a 2-0 lead.

Wiley leads the team with six goals and six assists for a total of 18 points this season. Mapes has contributed four goals and three assists, totaling 11 points. Sophomore goalkeeper Vanessa Gray ranks fourth in the CCIW with 60 saves.

As conference play nears its end, Wiley is third in league assists with six, while senior Kayley Carew is fifth with five.

North Central College enters the game tied for first place in the CCIW alongside North Park, both teams undefeated at 5-0-0 with 15 points each. North Central holds a 10-5 overall record and has won its last six games. The Cardinals have outscored their league opponents 19-2 over five games and recently defeated Carthage 4-0 on October 18. Junior Jordan Lange leads North Central’s offense with a conference-high 23 points, including eight goals and seven assists across all matches played this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Lily Mattison is second in the conference with six shutouts and leads in minutes played, posting a goals-against average of 1.01 and a .746 save percentage.

Illinois Wesleyan holds a historical advantage over North Central with a record of 27 wins, six losses, and one draw. However, North Central has won four of the last five meetings between the two teams. In those recent encounters, North Central has scored twelve goals without conceding any to Illinois Wesleyan. The Titans' most recent win against North Central was during the 2022 CCIW Tournament championship game.

The upcoming match at Neis Field will be available via live stream and live stats on the women's soccer schedule page.