LA CROSSE, Wis. – The UW-River Falls women's soccer team fell 7-0 to No. 14-ranked UW-La Crosse Wednesday evening at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex in WIAC action.
The Eagles, entered the contest with an undefeated 11-0-0 record, improving to 12-0-0 overall and 2-0-0 in conference play, while the Falcons moved to 6-2-2 overall and 0-1-1 in the WIAC.
The Eagles jumped out early, scoring three goals in the opening five minutes of action. Sera Speltz opened the scoring just 1:18 into the contest before Katelyn Studebaker doubled the Eagles' lead less than a minute later. Amaya Thesing added a third goal at the 4:49 mark to extend their advantage.
The Falcons generated a pair of scoring opportunities early as well with senior
Emery Bigler delivering a shot on goal in the sixth minute before striking the right post in the ninth minute.
The Eagles continued their offensive pressure throughout the opening half, adding goals from Aubree Caya in the 13th minute and Macy Evans in the 19th minute to take a 5-0 advantage into halftime.
Falcon goalkeeper
Courtney Bain faced a busy opening half, recording eight saves as UW-La Crosse totaled 20 shots through the first 45 minutes.
The Falcons held the Eagles scoreless for much of the second half, with Bain adding three more saves before
Kiera Nelson entered the contest in the 61st minute.
Offensively,
Abby Drontle provided a pair of second-half opportunities for UW-River Falls, including a shot on goal in the 68th minute that was turned away by the Eagles' goalkeeper.
UW-La Crosse eventually broke through again in the 74th minute on a goal from Grace Williams before Evans added her second goal of the evening in the 84th minute to secure the 7-0 final.
The Eagles held a 34-6 advantage in total shots and a 10-0 edge in corner kicks. Bigler and Drontle led the Falcons with two shots apiece, each placing one on goal.
Ava Marelic and
Inga Julstrom also recorded shot attempts for UW-River Falls.
Bain finished with 11 saves in just over 60 minutes of action, while Nelson added two saves in relief.
The Falcons will look to bounce back on Saturday, Oct. 10, when they travel to Platteville, Wis., to face the Pioneers in another WIAC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
