Reivers Down #10 Monroe CC in Michigan

Jackson, MI: Iowa Western dropped #10 Monroe CC 8-1 in a battle of nationally ranked opponents to imprive to 3-3-0.

 

How It Happened: The Reivers were able to create early pressure on the Tribune goal and were rewarded with a free kick just outside of the penalty area on the left side in the 10'. Freshman Lina Jaime stepped up curled a shot back post that found the back of the net for the first goal of the game. Sophomore Hope Riche would double the lead 12 minutes later getting on of an Estefanía Cardona free kick. The sophomore Colombian sent a 50 yd ball behind the Tribune back line to the left side. Riche tracked it down, took a touch into the area, and placed her left-footed strike in to the side netting of the far post to double the lead. Paola Ochoa would add an insurance goal in the 30th minute getting on the end of a pass from freshman Ashley Medina. Medina did all the hard work racing down the left flank, beating a defender and slotting to an open Ochoa who finished simply from 6 yards out. Cardona would finish the 1st half scoring in the 35' scoring from free kick from 55 yards out.

 

After some early pressure by Monroe CC, freshman Laura Linares slotted captain Moriah Lucas behind the back line. The sophomore took a touch and ripped a left-footed shot that she buried far post past the onrushing goalkeeper. The goal was against the 2nd half run of play, but allowed the Iowa Western to gain more control of the second half rhythm. The Tribunes would respond a minute later however through their Italian interntional Gaia Iacuzzi who poked home from 4 yards out. Iowa Western would squash any sort of hope of a comeback 4 minutes later after a good movement and finish. Linares would find space centrally after good wing play on the right side. She took a touch and chipped a ball in to the path of a well-timed Ochoa run who chipped the on rushing goalkeeper first time. Jaime would pick up her second goal in the 69th after she collected a Tribune clearance. The Colombian international saw the Tribune goalkeeper off her line and chipped it in to the back of the net from 50 yards out. Freshman Alexis Ashmore would finish off the scoring in the 82' off an assist from Riche. The Iowa native blasted from 23 yards out after finding herself open on the left side.

 

Notes & Numbers: Iowa Western improves to 3-3-0. Six different Reivers scored on Saturday. Eight goals scored were the most verse a top ten opponent in program history. 

 

Quotes: Sophomore Hope Riche on scoring her first goal: "I thought we possessed the ball well, we were communicating well, and not forcing shots from distance. It felt good to finally score for the team and I wanted to keep our momentum going and provide us a bigger advantage for us."

 

Coach Adam Sanchez: "I felt the team's mentality was great right from the start. Today was more of a psychological battle for us and I felt we held our nerve and took advantage of some of the things we wanted to exploit. Our constant pressure was key to the match and the team was relentless. Once we gained an advantage, we wanted to make sure we never lost it as we knew Monroe CC has the quality to come back from any deficit. We wanted to be in control of the match and we accomplished that. The exciting aspect is that we can be even better. It is still a process, but we are making strides.

Up Next: The Reivers will have some time off to recover after traveling the past 2 weekends as they prepare for the ICCAC conference opener verse Iowa Central CC in Fort Dodge. The match can be viewed live at www.njcaatv.com/iwcc. Match updates can be found on Twitter at @ReiverWSoccer.