Chicago, Ill. - In their 2023 senior day match, the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks women's soccer team welcomed the St. Norbert College Green Knights to Stuart Field on Saturday, October 14. The contest, which marked the Hawks (13-2-1) 10th Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference victory, saw the Hawks come-back to secure a 4-1 win over the Green Knights (9-5-2, 7-2-1)

Senior Day - Before kick-off, the Hawks honored the following nine senior for their contributions to Illinois Tech both on and off the field: Katharina Haerle, Jayla Anaya, Kelly Hitchcock, Julianna Moore, Caitie Chismarich, Jillian Oligschlaeger, Carolyn Beltran, Abigail Dudek, and Hailey Flannagan. Congratulations class of 2024 seniors for your careers as Scarlet Hawks!

How it Happened

• Three minutes into the contest, the visiting Green Knights scored the opening goal to take an early 1-0 lead over the Hawks. After earning a free kick just inside their defensive half, the Green Knights Mackenzie Schneider sent a deep ball into the 18-yard box that Hawks goalkeeper Hailey Flannagan was able to recover. After initially clearing the ball, Flannagan received a pass back. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the Green Knights Haley Westerman read the play and was able to step in front of Flannagan's clearance attempt. Westerman would step in front of the pass, causing the ball to go backwards and into the back of the net, putting the Green Knights ahead 1-0. 

• The Hawks immediately began to apply pressure on the Green Knights defense in an attempt to tie the game. After firing off four shots, the Hawks scored the tying goal in the 12th minute off the foot of Caitie Chismarich. Receiving the ball at the top of the 18-yard box, Chismarich turned to face the goal. Taking on two defenders, Chismarich was able to push the ball to her right side dribbling into the box. Once at the far corner of the 6-yard box, Chismarich placed her shot just inside the Green Knights goalkeeper, tying the game at 1-1. 

• Chismarich then gave the Hawks the lead in the 23rd minute of action off a Jayla Anaya assist. With two defender crashing in on her, Anaya played a through ball to Chismarich. Receiving the ball at the top of the 18-yard box, Chismarich took a dribbling touch to drive in deeper before beating the coming out goalkeeper with a cut to the inside, leaving herself with a wide open net in front of her. Chismarich's brace is considered the game winning goal as she gave the Hawks a 2-1 lead over the Green Knights.

• The Hawks were not done scoring yet as they would secure two more goals during the second 45 minutes of action. Allison Murray got on the scoreboard for the Hawks in the 86th minute off a Kenzie Tokuchi assist. Tokuchi, who was on the far side of the field outside the 18-yard box, sent a high cross to the center of the 6-yard box to an awaiting Murray. Murray was able to flick the cross with her head into the far side netting, giving the Hawks a 3-1 lead. 

• Two minutes later, the final goal of the game came when Kelly Hitchcock scored off a Sofia Rodriguez-Magid assist. Receiving a lose ball, Rodriguez-Magid placed a through ball to the top of the 18-yard box the Hitchcock was able to run onto. Hitchcock took a small touch before placing an inside shot between the Green Knights goalkeeper and the near post, giving the Hawks the 4-1 victory. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Caitie Chismarich - 81 minutes, 2 goals, 9 shots, 3 shots on goal

• Kelly Hitchcock - 83 minutes, 1 goal, 4 shots, 2 shots on goal

• Allison Murray - 55 minutes, 1 goal, 2 shots, 1 shot on goal

• Jayla Anaya - 61 minutes, 1 assist, 1 shot

• Sofia Rodriguez-Magid - 18 minutes, 1 assist

• Kenzie Tokuchi - 25 minutes, 1 assist, 2 shots, 1 shot on goal

Green Knights Standouts

• Haley Westerman - 90 minutes, 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal

Inside the Box Score

• The Hawks led in shots 23-5 with 8 shots on goal compared to the Green Knights 3

• The Green Knights tallied 4 saves versus the Hawks 2 saves

• For corner kicks, the Hawks finished with 8 while the Green Knights had 3

Comments from Head Coach Roshane Ellison

"Today's game was an emotional game as we celebrated our seniors. We didn't have a great start to the game but we maintained our focus and secured another team victory. It was important that we won today to honor our seniors. Two of our seniors; Caitie Chismarich and Kelly Hitchcock, stepped up with three big goals." 

Up Next

On Wednesday, October 18, the Hawks will welcome the Benedictine University Eagles (4-7-3, 4-4-1) to Stuart Field for their last home NACC game of the 2023 regular season. Kick-off between the Hawks and Eagles is scheduled for 7:00 PM.