Tiger women lose tough double-overtime match

Culver-Stockton (Mo.) College dealt the Iowa Wesleyan College women?s soccer team a 2-1 loss Thursday afternoon at East Lake Park.

Kelseigh Ruths scored the winning goal on a controversial play, making contact with Wesleyan goalkeeper Cara Arnold and dislodging the ball after Arnold had fielded a free kick from Alyssa Houska. No whistle was blown as Arnold went to the ground. Ruths collected the ball and put it into the net.

The Tigers fell to 5-4 on the season.

Culver-Stockton controlled play through most of the game, but IWC managed to score first. Hannah McElroy put the ball in the net with 9:50 left before halftime. McElroy got a pass from Erin Lucido in front of the goal and powered in a shot from 15 yards out, with the ball glancing off the hands of CSC goalkeeper Jacqui Porter.

The Tigers held that lead through much of the second half until the Wildcats scored the equalizer in the 73rd minute. Arnold tried to clear a ball from far outside the goal but instead the ball went right to Jordan Sergi. Sergi lofted a shot from outside the goalkeepers? box and into the net before Arnold could recover.

The Wildcats outshot IWC 12-10, both teams finishing with five shots on goal. Arnold had with three saves, while Porter had four saves for Culver-Stockton, which improved to 3-3-1 overall.

Iowa Wesleyan will play again on Sunday as part of IWC?s Homecoming weekend. The Tigers will host Cornell College for another non-conference match, with play beginning at 1 p.m. at East Lake Park.