Reivers Rebound Verse Cougars

Council Bluffs, IA: After being shutout two days earlier, Iowa Western wasted no time finding the back of the net. 

How It Happened: Following the loss on opening day, the Reivers found the back of the net early and often. Captain Moriah Lucas opened the scoring 30 seconds in to the match. Freshman Lexi Ashmore was played in to space behind the back line along the right flank. She used her pace to get in to the 18 and ripped a shot across the goal that the Barton keeper could only parry aside. Lucas was on hand to clean up the rebound finishing first time. Lucas was on hand 2 minutes later to finish an Estefania Cardona corner near post, which she just needed to redirect the driven cross.

Barton showed a bit of life after Kurumi Arakawa finished from long range in the 9', but it was short lived when Bruna Cavaliere was brought down in the penalty box nine minutes later. Cardona confidently slotted the ensuing penalty kick into the back of the net to restore the 2 goal lead. Freshman Ashley Medina got in the score book in the 42' poking home from close range finishing off a Lucas 60 yd solo run who found Medina in the center of the goal. Barton created a few dangerous efforts, hitting the crossbar on a couple of occasions, but the half ended 4-1 Iowa Western's advantage.

The Reivers dominated play in the second half as it tried to wear down Barton who was playing on less than 24 hours rest. Ashmore found the breakthrough 12 minutes from the end finishing a Sophie Hoban cross. Sophomore Paola Ochoa scored the goal of the weekend 2 minutes later after collecting a pass with one touch and her back to goal and turning and finishing on a full volley from 20 yards out. Council Bluffs native Morgan Garcia opened her collegiate account closing off the scoring in the 86' minute when she got in behind the high line of Barton and coolly finishing from 20 yards out past an on-rushing Cougar goalkeeper.

Notes & Numbers: Iowa Western improves to 1-1-0. The Reivers used 6 different scorers to score 7 goals. Lucas registered one of the fastest braces in school history, finding the back of the net in less than 3 minutes. 

Quotes: Coach Adam Sanchez: "I am super proud of the group's response today. They could have hung their heads after the opener, but they showed great determination right from the start. We didn't finish any of the chances we created on Friday, but, today, we finished on the first chance we had and that was a massive boost for us. It was a great step forward today and we are excited that a lot of players found success today. However, more progress needs to be made if we are going to contend with the best."

Up Next: The Reivers will look to recover and gear up for next weekend's action as they travel to Kansas to take on Rose State CC and Laramie County CC  on Saturday and Sunday. The match can be viewed live at www.njcaatv.com/iwcc. Match updates can be found on Twitter at @ReiverWSoccer.