FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Oct. 7, 2009 -- A flurry of first half goals was all that fifth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University needed to knock off the homestanding North Central College Cardinals, 4-1, in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin women's soccer game at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

IWU's Emily Hinchman opened up the game's scoring in the fifth minute, finding the lower right corner of the net. Carlie Hoekstra bumped the advantage to 2-0 in the 10th minute before Tori Samson belted in a free kick in the 11th minute for the game's third goal.

North Central got on the board in the 22nd minute when Laura Petersen headed the ball past the Titan keeper off a feed from Emma Bader. It was Petersen's 12th goal of the season, moving her in a tie for second place on the North Central single-season scoring list. The Titans tacked on an insurance goal in the 36th minute courtesy of Elizabeth Sinclair to conclude the scoring.

Elise Manzie made five saves in goal for the Cardinals, logging in all 90 minutes while Haley Hergert and Alli Novak each played a half for the Titans, combining for three saves on the night.

The loss drops North Central to 6-5 on the year and 0-3 in CCIW action while IWU remains unbeaten, moving to 10-0-2 overall and 2-0 in conference. The Cardinals continue their three-game homestand on Saturday, squaring off against Beloit College (Wis.) in a non-conference match beginning at 12 p.m.