RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The UW-River Falls women's soccer team celebrated Senior Day with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Central College at Smith Stadium on Saturday. The Falcons, improving to 6-1-0 on the season, were powered by goals from
Emery Bigler and
Ellie Ketcher, both assisted by senior
Lauren Best. The game honored seniors
Lauren Best,
Gretchen Hanson,
Brielle Blome,
Elizabeth Felty, and
Macy Zins for their contributions to the program.
The Falcons struck first in the 26
th minute when Bigler netted her fourth goal of the season, capitalizing on an assist from Best to give UWRF a 1-0 lead. Central responded in the 34
th minute with a goal from Piper Eighmy, assisted by Rylee Rustad, leveling the score at 1-1. Undeterred, UWRF regained the lead just over a minute later when Ketcher scored her fifth goal of the season, again assisted by Best, to secure a 2-1 advantage heading into halftime.
The second half saw both team battle evenly, each recording five shots, but the Falcon defense, anchored by goalkeeper
Courtney Bain, held firm and made four saves.
Bigler and Ketcher each contributed one shot on goal, while
Lexi Atkinson added three shots, two on target, in a substitute role. Best's two assists highlighted her playmaking ability, a fitting tribute to her senior day performance.
The victory marked a memorable Senior Day for Best, Hanson, Blome, Felty, and Zins, who have been instrumental in the team's success this season.
The Falcons will look to build on their momentum as they prepare to retain the Border Battle Chalice against the St. Scholastica Saints on Sunday, Sept. 23
rd at 2 p.m.
