Racers Survive with Ten - Edge Past St. Thomas 2-1

ELGIN, IL - It was an exciting start to the day in a neutral site matchup played at Judson University Monday afternoon. The first 45 minutes produced all three of the game's goals with UNOH holding the advantage over St. Thomas 2-1 despite being down to ten players for the final half hour.

The Bobcats struck first but were aided by a miscommunication on the back end by UNOH that led to an easy finish into an open net. It took just 66 seconds for the Racers to answer that score as Vivian Purmonen split two defenders with pace before cutting a through ball back across the box. Mathilda Berg Karlsson took it in stride first time rolling the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net. UNOH continued to mount pressure and a hand ball inside the penalty box set them up for a payoff. Katie West took the spot kick and finished under the keeper who got a touch but couldn't keeper it out giving the Racers a 2-1 lead in the 27th minute.

That score continued to hold into the second half despite chances on both ends until St. Thomas earned a dangerous free kick thanks to a sending off in the 61st minute. Racer goalkeeper, Sophia Eisner charged out of the box for a loose ball but a Bobcat attacker got a foot to it first playing it away and drawing contact that sent her to the ground. The result was a red card for Eisner and a difficult position for UNOH. Keira Ferns moved from the field to take over the goalie duties but the resulting free kick sailed high anyway and protected the 2-1 lead. Ferns would go on to hold off a late push by St. Thomas making four saves in her keeper debut to preserve the victory.

Sophia Eisner (2-1-0) still earned the victory despite the sending off exiting with the lead but without a save after 60 minutes of action. Keira Ferns made four saves over her 30 minutes in front of net to help combine for the win.

UNOH will stay on the road for their next matchup when they travel to Indianapolis on Saturday, September 6 to face No. 11 Marian.