Oct. 16, 2008

Story courtesy of Judson Sports Information Department

ELGIN, Ill. -- It took 109 minutes and eight seconds for Judson (Ill.) University women’s soccer (6-8-1) to knock off their first-ever NCAA Division I program as Christina Thornton netted the game winning goal in the final minute of the match over Houston Baptist University (7-6-1) today (Oct. 16).  Judson has now won three of their last four matches.

Just as there was one minute left in the match, Brienne Bohman (Arlington Heights, IL) sent the ball into the box from 30-yards out.  Janee Romesburg (Rockwood, PA) took a shot that deflected off a defender and landed at the feet of Thornton as she kicked in the winning goal with 52 seconds left.  Just four minutes earlier, Houston Baptist’s Ashley Flores had an open look at the goal but Judson’s Mackenzie Fowler snagged the shot to keep the game going.

The entire match was a great defensive battle.  There were only six shots taken in the first half with four from Houston Baptist.  Judson went right after Houston Baptist’s goalie Michelle Rich in the first six minutes with two shots.  Lynsey McFarland (Scotland) had the first shot in the fourth minute but it went high.  Thornton followed that shot in the sixth minute as Rich grabbed the shot for her first of three saves in the match.

It was the second half that was the difference, defensively, for Judson as Mackenzie Fowler (Crosby, TX) stopped seven shots to retain the shut out.  She faced 11 overall shots in the second half and caught seven as Judson continued their push for a victory.  In the first three minutes of the second half, Houston Baptist had three shots that were stopped by Fowler.  In the 46^th, 47^th, and 48^th minute, Fowler came up with saves.  The Huskies then tried to slip one by Fowler in the 51^st minute but did not find the net.  The second half was the most productive half for Houston Baptist with 11 shots and four corner kicks.

Houston Baptist took the only shot in the first overtime period in the 96^th minute but once again Fowler was unstoppable grabbing her 10^th save of the match.  Judson did not get a shot off in this overtime period.

It looked as though both teams were going to pick up their second tie of the season until Judson received a lucky break in the 110^th minute for the winning goal.  Fowler picked up her 11^th save of the match in the 106^th minute when Houston Baptist’s Flores took a shot.

Overall, Houston Baptist took 17 shots to Judson’s eight but Judson had seven corner kicks to Houston Baptist’s five.  Judson only had five fouls to Houston Baptist’s 20. 

Fowler captured her fifth shutout of the season and had 11 saves while Houston Baptist’s Rich had three saves. 

Judson will host Illinos Tech in CCAC play on Saturday, October 18^th, at 12:00 p.m. at Dawson Field.

Notes: Houston Baptist is in their second year of being a NCAA Division I program moving from the NAIA…HBU head coach Misty Jones played for Judson from 1994-96 and is 8^th all-time at Judson for goals scored…Judson records fifth shut out of the 2008 season…Judson has not allowed a goal in 258 minutes dating back to the second half against McKendree in a 3-0 loss…McKendree’s final goal came in the 32^nd minute and then was shut out in the second half…This is the fourth match this season that Judson goalie Mackenzie Fowler recorded 10 or more saves as she had 11.