Pittsburgh, PA. – At the beginning of the 2024 season, the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks women's soccer team set multiple goals, with the biggest being to earn a spot in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. After winning the NACC Women's Soccer Tournament on November 9th and earning the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, a new goal had to be set, win and advance to the next round. On Monday, November 11th, the Hawks learned they would be traveling to Pittsburgh, PA. to take on their Chicagoland neighbor the North Central College Cardinals in the first round of the tournament on the campus of host site Carnegie Mellon University. A win is what they needed, and a win is what they got as the Hawks defeated the Cardinals 3-1.  

Following an over eight-hour drive on Thursday and a Friday evening practice to prepare, the Hawks were game ready. "We're at the NCAA Tournament" said Head Coach Roshane Ellison in the Hawks pre-game huddle, "We're here to dance" and with excitement in the air, the Hawks were ready to battle for the next 90 minutes to reach their goal.  

During the game, the Hawks achieved a major accomplishment with their 100th goal of the season. With the second goal of the game in the 45th minute, Allison Murray earned the title of the 100th goal scorer with a left-footed shot to the near post.  

With the win, the Hawks improved to a 19-2-2 overall record.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The opening minutes of competition started in favor of the Cardinals, who took shots in the 3rd and 5th minutes, forcing Sarah Thomas to make two early saves to keep the game tied at 0-0.  

• The Hawks finally broke into their offensive half and took their first shot of the game in the 11th minute from the foot of Caitie Chismarich. Chismarich's shot would be saved by the Cardinals goalkeeper Olivia Mattison.  

• As the two sides fought for possession of the ball and looked for the game's opening goal, it would be the Hawks who got on the scoreboard first. Caitie Chismarich gained control of the ball inside the 18-yard box, and with two defenders on her, dropped the ball back to a wide-open Amelia Moseman. Moseman took a set up touch before ripping a quick shot through traffic. The right-footed shot sailed high, and although Mattison got her fingertips on it, the shot was too powerful as it continued to sail through the air. The ball would then deflect off the crossbar, falling straight down and crossing the goal-line, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute. Chismarich was awarded the assist.  
  
  

• For the remainder of the half, the Hawks controlled the ball, not allowing the Cardinals any more shots, while taking four more shots. The fourth shot would be the final shot of the half and marked the Hawks second goal of the game.  

• Allison Murray gave the Hawks the 2-0 lead right before halftime with a 45th minute goal. With Chismarich dribbling into the 18-yard box, she cut the ball back and dropped it to Kayla Smith. Smith took a touch, opening her body and played the ball across the box to the feet of Murray. Murray took a settling first touch with her right foot, shifted her body to throw off the defenders and got the ball to her left foot and fired off a left-footed shot. The shot skipped and went right underneath the diving Mattison to the right-center of goal with 12 seconds remaining in the half. Chismarich and Smith were both awarded the assist on the play.  
  
  

• At halftime, the Hawks led the Cardinals 2-0.  

• With their first shot of the second half, the Cardinals were able to get on the board to cut the score to a one goal game. Elle Sutter scored with a header goal off a Jordan Lange assist. This would go on to be the Cardinals only shot of the second half.  

• In the 63rd minute, Gabriella Baltes scored the final goal of the game. Continuing to be a major threat in the air during Hawks corner kicks, Baltes did what she has done multiple times this season and headed a corner kick cross into the back of the net. With Smith sending the kick in, the ball sailed towards the back post. Adjusting her run, Baltes beat the Cardinals keeper to the ball and directed it into the back of the net. Smith was awarded the assist.  
  
  

• The Hawks continued to look for goals in the remaining minutes but were unable to get the ball across the goal line anymore. At the final whistle, the Hawks earned a 3-1 victory over the Cardinals in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.  

SCARLET HAWK STANDOUTS 

• Amelia Moseman – 81 minutes, 1 goal, 6 shots, 2 shots on goal 

• Allison Murray – 41 minutes, 1 goal, 2 shots, 2 shots on goal 

• Gabriella Baltes – 90 minutes, 1 goal, 3 shots, 2 shots on goal 

• Kayla Smith – 77 minutes, 2 assists, 2 shots, 1 shot on goal 

• Eva Narvarte – 90 minutes, 1 assist, 1 goal, 1 shot on goal 

• Caitie Chismarich – 90 minutes, 1 assist, 2 shots, 1 shot on goal 

CARDINALS' STANDOUTS 

• Elle Sutter – 90 minutes, 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal 

• Jordan Lange – 90 minutes, 1 assist, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

• Illinois Tech out shot North Central 19-5, with nine shots on goal versus four 

• The Hawks held the Cardinals to just one shot in the second half.  

• The Cardinals made six saves during the 90 minutes of action while the Hawks made four 

• 8-of-11 corner kicks went in favor of the Hawks 

• All three of the Hawks goals came within the 18-yard box 

UP NEXT 

The goal continues to be win and advance for the Hawks as they turn their focus to tomorrow's second round match. The Hawks will take on the site host, the No. 7 nationally ranked Carnegie Mellon University Tartans. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM CT.