Wartman’s Goal in the 89th Minute Lifts Purdue Calumet to Road Win at Roosevelt

PUC-PeregrinsMichelle Wartman connected for perhaps the biggest goal of her collegiate career with seconds to play in regulation to lift the Purdue University Calumet women’s soccer team to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Roosevelt University Tuesday in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference road contest.

Wartman (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central) broke away from the Laker defense with the help of a deep pass from teammate Vanessa Hernandez (Hammond, Ind./Morton) with just 25 seconds to play, as the sophomore defender-turned-forward beat the Roosevelt keeper in a one-on-one situation to give the Peregrines (7-6, 3-3 CCAC) the victory. The score was Wartman’s – who spent her freshman season as a defender for the Peregrines -- third of the season and third for her career.

The goal broke a 3-all tie caused by Jamie Beniac’s second goal of the contest for the Lakers (4-10, 1-6) in the 72nd minute.

Purdue Calumet junior Kirsten Nirtaut (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central) struck first for the Peregrines in just the seventh minute, evading the Roosevelt keeper for her second goal of the season, aided by an assist from teammate Kara Polus (Crown Point, Ind./Lake Central). Roosevelt would answer in the 22nd minute with a deep goal by Carli Schlaker to make it 1-1 at the half.

The Lakers would take a brief lead with Beniac’s goal in the 49th minute before the Peregrines netted two straight scores, the first by senior Caytin Lewin (Plainfield, Ill./Benet Academy) in the 54th minute and the next a header goal by Polus in the 59th, aided by Hernandez’s first assist of the contest.

Junior keeper Erika Brinkman (Kalida, Ohio/Kalida/Owens C.C.) stopped seven shots on the day to pick up her fifth win of the season as the Peregrines captured their third straight victory, all in CCAC play.

Roosevelt dropped its sixth straight game, despite out-shooting the Peregrines, 17-13. Purdue Calumet held the advantage on corner kicks, 6-3.

The Peregrines return to action Saturday, when Purdue Calumet hosts a men’s and women’s double header against Robert Morris at Munster High School beginning at 1 p.m.