The Dominican University women's soccer team topped the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks by a score of 2-1 at Dominican's West Campus Field on Saturday afternoon in River Forest.
 
Lexi Kiotis found the back of the net in the 84^th minute when Sara Bartczyszyn stopped a counter and her clearance sailed over the Scarlet Hawks' backline, leading Tania Paez to the goal.  When Illinois Tech's Jessica Park charged off her line, Paez slipped to Kiotis, leading the winger to the goal for her second goal of the season and first game-winner.
 
"As the game went on we got better," commented Carlos Carrillo, the Stars' head coach, following the match.  "We had 14 shots and nine corners in the second half—we really turned it on and really got our game going and got forward."
 
After a scoreless first half, Dominican took a 1-0 lead in the 55^th minute, capitalizing on one of the Stars' nine second-half corner kicks when Paez gathered the rebound of her own header before driving a shot through traffic for her first goal of the season.
 
Eight minutes later, the Scarlet Hawks leveled the score at 1-1 when Katie Hoefgen flicked a pass to the top of the six-yard box where Kirsten Robinson was unguarded for a 1-v-1 with Dominican's Vanessa Gonzalez.  After a quick touch, Robinson ripped a shot into the back of the goal.
 
The score remained tied for the next 21 minutes of play until Kiotis gave the Stars the lead for good.
 
For the match, Paez finished with a goal and an assist and now has a team-best five points on the season.
 
"Paez has been the heart of our team," said Carrillo.  "She is a very tough player both physically and mentally and even though she is shorter, she plays big and has tremendous heart."
 
Dominican held a marked 19-9 advantage in shots, putting ten on frame compared to just three shots on goal for Illinois Tech.  The Stars also earned nine corner kicks to just two for the Scarlet Hawks.
 
Gonzalez made two saves for Dominican to pick up the win in her second straight start.
 
The Stars, now 2-1-0 on the season, continue non-conference play on Wednesday, heading to Waukesha, Wisconsin, where they will meet the Carroll University Pioneers.  Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.