Women's soccer wins program's first match in shutout

The Western Iowa Tech women's soccer team counted down the final seconds of the program's first win, waiting for the clock to show all zeroes before rushing together in celebration.

Freshman forward Emma Jolly scored in the 38th minute and sophomore goalkeeper Zoe Wiggall stopped all 14 Yellowjackets shots to secure a 1-0 Comets victory on Saturday afternoon.

"I'm very proud of this team," head coach Eddie Vongsiprasom said. "Tonight they deseved to win. This team continues to show heart when times are tough."

The Comets (1-6) start ICCAC play on Saturday, Sept. 16 at home against Scott Community College. 

Vongsiprasom said the team's breakthrough is a product of steady improvement over the course of the season. 

"Tonight we finally put it all together and played to the very end," he said.

Jolly's goal came on a through ball by Brenda Villacres that left Jolly with only the keeper to beat. She placed the ball in the bottom-right hand corner for what held up as the game-winner.

Jolly, Villacres and Alexa Delatorre controlled the ball and the tempo for the Comets, while Estefany Martinez and Wiggall anchored the defense.

Vongsiprasom said the defense played organized and didn't shy away from challanges.

WIT had only three substitutes on hand, leaving most of the players to play the entire game.

"Tonight, the girls played for each other," Vongsiprasom said. "Knowing we didn't have many subs and players playing through pain, they knew they had to work harder to pick up the slack."