Titans Nipped By Ninth-Ranked Pointers

Mary Jean Cornelius' first goal of the season provided the margin of victory as nationally ranked and two-time defending WIAC champion UW-Stevens Point edged UW-Oshkosh, 1-0, in a women's soccer match held Wednesday (Sept. 29) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

Cornelius tallied the game's only goal in the 33rd minute (32:31) of play. Her 10-yard scoring kick from in front of the net came off a pass from Vicki Bieschke.

Both teams played stellar defense, with UW-Stevens Point (9-0/4-0 WIAC) totaling just nine shots and UW-Oshkosh (3-5-1/0-3-1) six. Each squad was awarded two corner kick opportunities.

UW-Stevens Point was led by the two shots each of Cornelius, Sammy Greer, Kirsti Nickels and Lauryn Semling. The Pointers, who entered the contest ranked ninth in the NCAA Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, had six of nine shots on goal.

UW-Oshkosh, which failed to score for the third straight match, was paced by the four shots of Caitlin Casey (Sr. • Waukesha) and one of Jessica Erny (Jr. • Wauwatosa). The Titans had five of their six shots on goal.

Goalkeepers Liz Hunter of UW-Stevens Point and Brittany Walder (Jr. • Waukesha) both saved five shots. Hunter recorded four saves in the first half, while Walder registered three in the second. Hunter's performance allowed the Pointers to notch their seventh shutout of the season.

UW-Oshkosh visits UW-Platteville on Saturday (Oct. 2) to conclude a string of five consecutive WIAC matches.