DECATUR, Ill. - Webster University Women's Soccer ran its win streak to two straight matches here Wednesday evening as the Gorloks scored two goals within a span of 58 seconds in the first half to post a 2-1 victory over Millikin University in non-conference regional action at Frank Lindsay Field on the Millikin campus.
With the win, Webster, who is ranked ninth in this week's initial United Soccer Coaches Central Region rankings, improved its record to 3-1-0, while Millikin falls to 1-2-1 on the year.
In Wednesday's game, Webster's offense recorded eight shots and had five shots on goal, while Millikin recorded 13 shots and had six shots on goal, but the Webster defense held the Big Blue to just one goal, which came in the final nine minutes of the match.
The Gorloks got the scoring started as sophomore midfielder
Jordan Bilyeu (St. Louis, Mo./Lindbergh) scored on a header off a cross from senior forward
Melissa Kasper (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) with 58 seconds left in the opening half. The score by Bilyeu was her first career collegiate goal, while the assist by Kasper was her fourth of the season and 41st of her career. The 41 assists puts Kasper into a tie for second place on the school's all-time list with Megan Niederschulte, who had 41 assists from 2007-10.
Webster's lead grew to 2-0 as they scored their own just as the first half ended.
The Big Blue, who had six shots after halftime, would finally find the goal in the 81st minute as Amanda Noser scored on a penalty kick to drop WU's lead to 2-1. The penalty shot was set up after the Gorloks were called for a hand ball in the box.
Three of the seven goals the Gorloks have allowed this season have come off of penalty kicks.
Sophomore forward
Jordan Lande (Sachse, Texas/Sachse) led the Gorloks with three shots, including two shots on goal. In addition to Lande, Bilyeu and senior midfielder
Savannah Page (Sandy, Utah/Jordan) each had two shots in the win. Both of Bilyeu's shots were on goal on the night.
Kat Stiles had three shots for Millikin, while Noser, Chloe White, Lucy Koger and Faith Fitzsimmons each had two shots in the loss.
Freshman goalkeeper
Taryn Banfield (Plano, Texas/Plano East) continued her solid play in the net for the Gorloks as she recorded five saves and allowed just one goal in 90 minutes to move to 2-1-0 on the year.
Jennifer Miller (0-2-1) took the loss in the net for the Big Blue as she played all 90 minutes and recorded three saves and allowed two goals.
The Gorloks will look to make it three straight wins on Saturday, Sept. 14 as they travel to Monmouth, Ill., for a 12 p.m. non-conference match at Monmouth College.
