Overtime Goal Lifts Warhawks Past Titans In WIAC Tournament

Stacey Schultz scored the winning goal in overtime as the UW-Whitewater women's soccer team advanced in the WIAC Tournament with a 2-1 victory over UW-Oshkosh on Tuesday (Nov. 3) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The first-round victory qualifies fifth-seeded UW-Whitewater (11-7-1) for a semifinal round contest at top-seeded UW-Stevens Point (13-3-1) on Thursday (Nov. 5). UW-Stevens Point and second-seeded UW-Eau Claire (9-7-2) both received a bye in the opening round of the six-team tournament.

Tuesday's other first round match featured third-seeded UW-River Falls (9-9-2) defeating sixth-seeded UW-Stout (5-13-1) in a shootout. The teams played to a 1-1 double-overtime tie before the Falcons outscored the Blue Devils, 4-3, on penalty kicks. UW-River Falls moves on to play a semifinal round at UW-Eau Claire on Thursday.

The championship match is scheduled for Saturday (Nov. 7) at the site of the highest remaining seed. The winner of the WIAC Tournament receives the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship.

Schultz attempted the lone shot of the overtime period and it was all UW-Whitewater needed as her unassisted kick sailed into the net from 10 yards out to end the match at the 93:36 mark of play. The goal was the second of the season for Schultz.

The first half went scoreless as the teams battled through temperatures in the low 30s. UW-Oshkosh had an 8-3 advantage in shots in the opening period, but failed to score.

UW-Oshkosh, which posted a 3-1 victory over UW-Whitewater on Oct. 14, jumped to a 1-0 lead on Nicole Strieker's (Fr. • Janesville) goal at the 53:30 mark of the match. Carmen Fiordellisi (So. • Howard) was credited with an assist on Strieker's fifth goal of the season, a 10-foot shot from in front of the goal.

UW-Whitewater tied the score on an unassisted goal by Emily Gerber at the 60:33 mark of the contest. Gerber's WIAC-leading 23rd goal of the season came on a kick from 25-yards out.

UW-Whitewater controlled the flow of play in the second half as it posted a 9-3 advantage in shots.

UW-Oshkosh finished the contest with 11 shots and one corner kick. Jessica Erny (So. • Wauwatosa) led the Titans with four shots, while Strieker, Caitlin Casey (Jr. • Waukesha) and Nikki Mohr (Fr. • Crystal Lake, Ill.) tallied two each.

UW-Whitewater concluded the match with 13 shots and 11 corner kicks. The Warhawks were paced by the three shots of both Gerber and Pamela Lisowe.

UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Brittany Walder (So. • Waukesha) and UW-Whitewater goalkeeper Samantha Neely both recorded five saves.