Women's soccer sweeps weekend

During practice this week, IU Coach Amy Berbary said she talked to senior forward Rebecca Candler about how she needs to step up as a leader.

In a weekend where IU women’s soccer picked up a pair of Big Ten wins against Northwestern and Illinois, Berbary said Candler and junior midfielder Jordan Woolums came through.

“This weekend was huge,” Berbary said. “Any time you get two wins in a weekend and complete the weekend, you’re working really, really hard. It is pretty rare to do. They dug deep and got it done.”

The weekend opened Friday with a 2-1 double overtime win against Northwestern.

The Hoosiers jumped ahead in the 37th minute when Woolums assisted senior midfielder Lisa Nouanesengsy for Nouanesengsy’s team-leading seventh goal of the year.

The Wildcats did not lay down in what proved to be a physical game. They found the back of the net in the 78th minute to tie it and force overtime.

After a scoreless first period of overtime and with time running down in the second, Candler created a chance and capitalized with a game-winning goal with two minutes remaining.

“It was such a great feeling,” Candler said. “The overtime felt so different from the game. We were playing incredibly hard, and as a team we knew we were young to win but it would take a team effort. I was just glad to put it away.”

Berbary has said the Achilles’ heel for the Hoosiers throughout the course of the season has been finishing on their opportunities. Friday, Candler did.

“We put ourselves into a position where we had that one chance to get the goal we needed and she was able to put it away for us,” Berbary said.

On Sunday, it was Woolums who capitalized on her scoring chances.

In what proved to be a cold, rainy day, the Hoosiers found themselves behind early after Illinois junior forward Jannelle Flaws scored on a second chance opportunity in the 4th minute of the game.

The Hoosiers tied the game just before halftime when junior forward Kayleigh Steigerwalt crossed a ball right to Woolums’ head for a goal.

“Kayleigh couldn’t have put it more perfectly on my head,” Woolums said. “It was all her.”

After being tied at half, Berbary told her team it needed to come out strong.

“We gave up a terrible goal four minutes in — we came out asleep,” Berbary said. “I just told them Shannon made a mistake but she’s saved us so many times throughout the year that we have to go out there and get a couple for her.”

The Hoosiers responded with a pair of goals by Steigerwalt and Woolums within the first eight minutes of the second half.

“We got one four minutes in,” Berbary said with a laugh. “I guess they listened.”

Illinois added a late goal, but IU held on to secure the victory 3-2.

Woolums entered the game having only taken five shots all season. Sunday, her two-goal performance proved to be the difference.

She said that although she was not getting many opportunities to score, she knew it was just a matter of time.

“They were bound to fall through at some point,” Woolums said. “We’ve been working on it all week, so work pays off. I’m glad it happened today.”

Follow reporter Sam Beishuizen on Twitter @Sam_Beishuizen.