RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls women's soccer team lost its matchup at home against UW-Oshkosh, 1-0, on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The Falcons honored the team's eight seniors at today's game, recognizing their contributions to the women's soccer program and the River Falls community. UWRF's senior class: Grace Zellmer, Aliviah McClinton, Maddie Stubson, Greta Van Guilder, Madyson Shew, Abigail Goodwin, Regan Schweitzer, and Haley James.
The match was neck-and-neck in shots on goal, but a late-goal by the Titans made the difference. The loss dropped UWRF's record on the season to 7-8-2.
Early in the game, UWRF pushed the tempo, as Madyson Shew recorded the first shot on goal of the game in the eighth minute. The Falcons forced two shots on goal within the first 15 minutes of play, as both teams played out a scoreless start to the match.
In the 32nd minute, Titans forward Greta Steines fired off a shot that bounced off the crossbar and was saved in diving fashion by UWRF goalkeeper Grace Zellmer to keep UW-Oshkosh scoreless. With just under three minutes remaining in the half, Zellmer made another save to keep the Titans off the board, as UW-Oshkosh managed to put up two shots in consecutive order off a corner kick.
UWRF earned a corner kick with the final seconds ticking down in the first half, but both teams went into halftime knotted at 0-0. By halftime, the Titans held a 10-6 advantage in total shots, while shots on goal were even at 2-2. Both teams were also even in corner kicks (1) and fouls (5) through the first 45 minutes of play.
In the second half, the Falcons weathered eight shot attempts from the Titans in the first 15 minutes, one of which was a shot on goal and one of which bounced off the right post.
Midway through the second half, the Falcons responded with three shots on goal within a four-minute span by Shew, Haley James, and Madelyn Johnson to give the Falcons several solid chances at goal.
With under 15 minutes remaining, the Falcons pushed the ball toward the goal numerous times and gained momentum with several chances, including two blocked shots in back-to-back attempts. UW-Oshkosh broke the scoreless draw late in regulation, as Anika Roush scored on a header in front of the goal off a rebounded shot on goal from Shannon Walsh.
In the final minutes, UWRF pressed the ball up field and created two shot attempts in the final six minutes. UWRF saw a late chance at goal called off due to an offside, as UW-Oshkosh held on to win 1-0.
The Falcons finished with 14 total shots and five shots on goal, while the Titans also had five shots on goal off 26 total shot attempts.
Shew led UWRF with four shots and two shots on goal, while Lauren Best added three shots. In goal, Zellmer recorded four saves.
Up next, UWRF is set to host UW-Whitewater at 2 p.m. on Nov. 2, concluding the team's regular season schedule. The WIAC tournament will begin on Nov. 5, with the matchups still to be determined.
