DES PLAINES, ILL. - Despite an early lead on Friday, the Madison College women's soccer team had to rally from a one-goal deficit at halftime to earn a 3-2 victory over Oakton College to start the 2023 season. Sophomore Kierstin McHugh scored two goals, including the game-winner in the 72', to mark the WolfPack's ninth consecutive season-opening win going back to the program's second year of existence in 2015. The win also comes in the team's first competition as a NJCAA Division II program, as well as in the first match all-time against the Owls.

McHugh, a Madison, Wisconsin, native, got the scoring started in the game's 12'. Fellow second year Savi Pursley floated a pass beyond the Oakton College defense that McHugh tracked down and chipped over the arms of a hard-charging goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

The Owls responded with a pair of goals over a six-minute stretch late in the half as they beat WolfPack goalkeeper Morgan Thompson in the 31' and 36' to take a 2-1 edge into halftime.

Madison College regrouped at the break and freshman forward Camille Gilbertson tallied her first career collegiate goal. The scoring strike came from just outside the penalty box on the right side off another assist from Pursley, and the product of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, placed her kick just inside the opposite post and over a diving keeper for the equalizer.

With the match still even at 2-2 and into the final 20 minutes of play, the WolfPack took advantage of a throw in from the left side. A deflected ball found its way McHugh at the top of the box, and the midfielder was able to get off a kick before the defense collapsed. The ball sailed over the goalkeeper and spun inside the right post to set off the celebration.



Madison College posted a 13-6 edge in total shots and an 8-4 lead in shots on goal. Thompson, a returning all-region GK from New Glarus, Wisconsin, was credited with two saves and two goals allowed.

McHugh now boasts seven career goals and three multi-goal games. Pursley, a former teammate of McHugh's at Madison Memorial HS, racked up her first career points with the two assists.

Up Next:

Madison College (1-0) remains on the road for their second game of the season on Wednesday, August 23 at the College of DuPage (0-1). The Chaparrals are 1-0-2 in the last three meetings with the WolfPack, who had won six consecutive meetings between 2017 and 2019. The all-time series stands at 10-6-2 in favor of COD, another new Division II program along with Madison College. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. following the men's match at 5:00 p.m.

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