Ottumwa, IA – No. 13 Indian Hills Women's Soccer continued its undefeated run to start the season with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over visiting Northeast Community College (NE) on Sunday night. Sophomore Risa Ogasawara (Yokohama, Japan/Hinomoto) converted the game-winning penalty kick to secure the win.

In the Warriors' biggest test of the early portion of their schedule, Indian Hills outlasted Northeast for the seventh time in the teams' eight all-time meetings. The Warriors, who had allowed just two goals all season prior to Sunday's key matchup, improved to 8-0-0 on the year. Indian Hills is just one of two Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) teams with an undefeated record along with Iowa Western Community College.

"Northeast is a top team," head coach Anthony Longo noted. "Every time we match up, it's a battle and today was no different."

The Warriors fell behind early, the team's first deficit of the season, as Northeast scored at the 8:48 mark off a loose rebound in the box. The Hawks maintained its one-goal advantage throughout the duration of the first half as the Warriors looked to regroup at the break.

"We had a good heart-to-heart chat at halftime and we were able to raise our level in the second half," Longo added. "We played much quicker and way more efficient when we got the ball."

With a potential first loss at stake, the Warriors went to the team's top scorer on the year in sophomore Bailey Wiemann (Burlington, IA/Burlington). Wiemann received a pass from Ikumi Okumura (Edogawa, Japana/Murata) and one-timed a shot up-and-over the Hawks' keeper to knot the score at one at the 53:37 mark. Northeast regained the lead just over five minutes later, but Wiemann's number was called again. The striker shocked the Hawks less than 20 seconds after they took the lead as the nation's top scorer beat a defender to even the score at two-all. Ogasawara was credited with the assist on the play.

Freshman Trisha Westphal (Lockridge, IA/Fairfield) teamed up with a dominant defensive backline down the stretch to force the match into overtime. Just 4:35 into the first overtime period, the Hawks were whistled for a handball in the box. Ogasawara stepped to the spot and buried her second penalty kick of the season as the Warriors remained undefeated on the year.

"It was good to see how the players grew in the second half and raised their level," Longo stated. "If we can play consistently at that level, we will continue to win games."

While the win extends the Warriors' unbeaten streak to start the year, it also extends the team's home unbeaten streak to 30 matches dating back to the 2017 season.

 The Warriors and Hawks have now played four consecutive one-goal matches, with Indian Hills coming out victorious three times.

Wiemann's impressive start to her sophomore campaign continued with the two goals on Sunday night. Wiemann's 31 points on the year are currently tied for the nation's top mark while her 11 goals rank second overall. Both Ogasawara and Okumura are tied for third in the nation with 24 points apiece on the year.

Indian Hills returns to action on Sept. 15 with a 7:00 PM match vs. Hawkeye Community College at Schafer Stadium

WARRIORS EDGE HAWKS - It took an extra period, but No. 13-rated @IHCCSoccerWomen netted a penalty kick from Risa Ogasawara to outlast visiting @NortheastHawks, 3-2 to remain unbeaten at 8-0. Next up: Wed. vs. @HawkeyeRedTails at Schafer Stadium at 7 p.m. @WarriorNation pic.twitter.com/5Wge74KDcB

— IHCC Athletics (@IHCCAthletics) September 13, 2021