Purdue Declaws Bobcats For First Win of 1999

ATHENS, Ohio - The Purdue women's soccer team won its first road game in school history on Sunday, August 29, when they defeated the defending Mid-American Conference Champion Ohio Bobcats 2-1 in sudden death overtime. With the win, the Boilermakers improve to 1-1 on the season, while the Bobcats fall to 0-1. Last year, the Purdue women defeated Eastern Illinois on the road by a score of 5-2, but the game was considered a neutral site as part of the Panther Invitational (Milwaukee, Wis.)

"Today was a great win for our program," second-year head coach Rob Klatte said. "Our ladies fought hard in the heat and they were determined to come out ahead. I thought in the second half we controlled the ball more with possession and really wore them out physically. We need to build from this weekend experience, continue to practice hard and work on getting better."

Despite playing the second straight game without starting defender sophomore Tricia Henderson, who suffered a knee injury in the Oakland scrimmage on August 21, the Boilers were able to outlast the MAC Champs in the sweltering heat in Athens in front of 475 fans at Shafer Street Field.

Purdue sophomore Kate Queen hit a shot from the right side of the 18-yard line to the far left post just 53 seconds into overtime from fellow sophomore Ashley Fritz to give the Boilermakers their first victory in '99.

The Bobcats found the net first, scoring in the 37th minute. Lori Spitler's throw in on the left side found Nicki Pendleton, who turned and booted the ball to the far post over the outstretched arm of Purdue first-half goalkeeper sophomore Sharon Sadowski. The Old Gold and Black did not answer until midway through the second half when redshirt freshman Elise Berry shot a free ball in the crowded box on the right side off the hand of Bobcat keeper Vanessa Dennis for her first collegiate score. Neither team could convert on opportunities late in regulation, forcing the extra session.

For the game, Purdue out shot Ohio 5-1 and collected seven corner kicks, compared to four for the Bobcats.

Purdue has a six-day break before it next opponent. The Boilers will travel to Kuntz Stadium in downtown Indianapolis for an encounter with the Butler Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 4. The match is slated to start under the lights at 7 p.m.

PURDUE 2, OHIO 1 (OT)

SCORING: OU: Nicki Pendleton (Lori Spitler) 36:36 PU: Elise Berry (none) 65:41 PU: Kate Queen (Ashley Fritz) 90:53

SHOTS ON GOAL: Purdue 5, Ohio 1 CORNER KICKS: Purdue 7, Ohio 4 FOULS: Purdue 10, Ohio 12 SAVES: Purdue 0, Ohio 2 GOALKEEPERS: (Saves-Goals Allowed-Minutes): Purdue: Sharon Sadowski (0-1-45:00) and Jocelyn Cavalier (0-0-45:53), Ohio: Vanessa Dennis (2-2-90:53)