Reivers win 3-2 in OT

Fort Dodge, IA –Iowa Western played its first conference opponent, Iowa Central Community College, Saturday afternoon.  The Reivers won 3-2 in overtime.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Iowa Western came out with energy and determination to win the first conference matchup of the season. Three minutes into the game, Abby Hall held the ball on the attacking end and cleverly won a corner kick for the Reivers. Laura Chavez easily sailed the ball into the six-yard box. Both teams fought to get the first touch, clashing as Central tried to clear it and was denied by Anyeli Solarte. As the ball bounced back into the air, Alex Boss met the ball at its highest point and put the ball in the back of the net. Iowa Western continued to set the tone of the game, possessing for a majority of the time in the attacking half. Defensively, the Reiver back line made up of Kate Reddish, Alex Allgaier, Veronica Herrera, and Sofia Colvin shut down the Triton attack and only allowed one chance during the half.  Iowa Central converted that chance into a goal to tie the match 1-1 going into the break.

After half time, the Reivers continued to dominate possession and created several chances in the attack. Two minutes in, Laura Chavez recognized the perfect opportunity to send a through ball past the Triton back line for Alex Boss. Freshman forward, Alex Boss, pounded the ball into the goal, giving Iowa Western the go-ahead goal.  The Reiver defense continued to shut down Iowa Central; however, Central's Morgan Carew was left unmarked at the top of the eighteen yard box and finished her shot to tie the match 2-2 with less than ten minutes left in regulation. Both teams pressed hard to pull ahead. In the last ten seconds, Boss received the ball in the eighteen and drove towards goal. One second after the buzzer went off, Boss hit the ball of the crossbar and into the net. The ref signaled that the time had run out and the goal did not count.  The Reivers continued creating opportunities and put lots of pressure on the Triton defense.  Finally, six minutes into overtime, Alex Boss crossed the ball into freshman forward, Ashley Overberg for the 3-2 OT victory!

NOTES & NUMBERS: Alex Boss scored the first goal with an assist from Laura Chavez and Anyeli Solarte at 4:00. Boss scored the second goal with an assist from Chavez at 47:00. Ashley Overberg scored the winning goal with an assist from Boss at 96:00.  Iowa Western took 25 shots and held Iowa Central to two shots. 

QUOTES: Freshman Forward Alex Boss of Salt Lake City, Utah

"It felt fabulous…like a burden has been lifted off your shoulders," Boss said. "We all worked as a team and moved for each other. We talked to each other and flowed together."

UP NEXT: The Reivers face conference opponent Iowa Lakes CC at home on Friday, September 15th at 4:00PM CST.  Iowa Western also plays Otero JC at 11:00AM on Sunday, September 17th in a non-conference match-up at the Reiver Sports Complex. Match updates can be found on Twitter at @ReiverWSoccer.