Titans Edge Pioneers On First-Half Penalty Kick

UW-Oshkosh's Kendra Jepson converted a penalty kick for the game's lone score as the Titans defeated Grinnell College (Iowa), 1-0, in a women's soccer match held Sunday (Sept. 10) in Grinnell, Iowa. 

Jepson tallied UW-Oshkosh's first goal of the season during the 28th minute (27:32) of activity. The score followed a Grinnell College foul in the UW-Oshkosh penalty-box area. 

Both teams attempted nine shots during the hard-fought contest, with UW-Oshkosh (1-2-1) launching five in the first half and Grinnell College (2-3) five in the second. The Titans had a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks. 

Jepson led UW-Oshkosh with two shots while Abby Austin, Alek Kleis, Fiona Neary, Michaela Schenk, Taylor Simkowski, Madison Smith and Hannah Zacher had one apiece. 

Grinnell College, which lost to UW-Oshkosh for the second time in three all-time meetings, was led by the two shots from both Kitt Richards and Francesca Varias. The Pioneers also received one shot each from Valencia Alvarez, Eliza Bunnell, Lauren Edwards, Lauren Hurley and Jordan Maddaus. 

UW-Oshkosh split its goalkeeping duties as Jessica Galason played the first half and Madelyn Runyan the second. Galason stopped a shot by Varias during the 24th minute for her lone save while Runyan blocked shots by Varias in the 51st minute and Bunnell in the 75th for her lone saves. 

Grinnell College goalkeeper Regan Kasprak played the entire match and saved six shots. Kasprak saved shots by Austin and Schenk in the 13th minute, Jepson in the 20th, Neary in the 41st, Simkowski in the 62nd and Smith in the 77th. 

Grinnell College also had two of its shots hit the crossbar, kicks by Richards in the 10th and Hurley 37th minute of action.

UW-Oshkosh plays its first home match of the season on Wednesday (Sept. 13) against Carthage College.

Photo courtesy of Ted Schultz, Grinnell College Sports Information