Senior Day for the Aurora University Spartan women’s soccer team had a joyous start and exuberant conclusion as the Spartans defeated the visiting Big Blue of Millikin University 3-2 on a chilly afternoon at Vago Field.
AU struck first in the 16th minute when sophomore forward Haley Pschirrer blistered a shot past Millikin freshman goalkeeper Nikki Risolute. Pschirrer's first goal of the contest and 11th of the season was assisted by sophomore Samantha Dykema.
Defense and timely goalkeeping by Risolute and AU senior Jenny Jarvis led to a scoreless remainder of the first half.
Millikin tied the contest in the 61st minute of action, when junior forward Allison Horne beat Jarvis off a corner kick and assist from sophomore forward Nikki Smith.
But just 16 seconds later, Pschirrer notched her team leading 12th goal of the season,
beating Millikin freshman goalkeeper Natalie Robertaccio. Robertaccio came on to start the second half for the Big Blue.
12 minutes later, sophomore forward Brook Walendzik tallied her first goal of the season as her shot snuck inside the cross-bar as Robertaccio corralled the ball. After a discussion by the head and
assistant referee, she was credited with the goal and was assisted on the play by senior forward Jessica Novickas. The Walendzik goal gave the Spartans a commanding 3-1 lead with just over 16 minutes to play.
The Big Blue was able to cut the lead to one with 12 seconds remaining in regulation. A foul on the Spartans in the box, led to a penalty kick attempt for Millikin sophomore defender Chelsea Jones. Jones' shot was good, but would not be enough as the Spartans held on for the 3-2 win.
The evenly played match saw AU out shoot the Big Blue 16 to 14 with a 12 to seven advantage in shots on goal.
Jarvis earned the win, improving her record to 2-1 on the year, she had five saves and Robertaccio dropped to 8-3-1 on the season, with five saves in the second half.
This in-region victory moves the Spartans to 9-5 overall, 5-1 in the NAC and the loss drops the Big Blue to 9-4-1, 1-1 in the CCIW.