Ottumwa -- On a day when the Indian Hills women's soccer program honored its talented sophomore class it was a freshman who scored the game-winning goal in the regular-season finale. Madison L. Meyer headed in a cross from Yui Okamoto in the 80th minute allowing the Warriors to get away with a 4-3 win over Northeast (Neb.) at the IHCC field.
Meyer's goal was her 11th of the season as the IHCC record improves to 14-1-1 and the conference mark to 7-1-1. Indian Hills made it a perfect 17-0 home record the past two seasons. Eight sophomores were recognized before the match for their contributions to the program.
Northeast started the scoring just five minutes into the match. Emily Murphy tied things up for the Warriors about 15 minutes later with an assist from Julie Gouilliart, who also had assists on the first two IHCC goals of the second half, after Northeast went on top, 2-1, at the half. First it was Murphy scoring her 30th goal of the fall, then Miranda Kurtt, another IHCC soph, found the back of the net for the ninth time to give the Warriors the lead. NCC tied the score at 3-all, but Meyer put home the winner moments later.
Freshman goalkeeper Elani Mears had seven saves for Indian Hills. The Warriors outshot NCC, 18-15.
IHCC moves on to the conference postseason tournament where they earned the second seed and a first-round bye. They will host their first game in the tourney.