Titans' First WIAC Loss Comes in Regular-Season Finale
Kaitlyn Villars scored three consecutive goals as nationally ranked UW-La Crosse handed the UW-Oshkosh women's soccer team its first conference loss of the season on Saturday (Oct. 28) in La Crosse.
UW-Oshkosh (7-7-4, 3-1-3 WIAC), which entered the contest with three victories and three ties in its previous six WIAC matches, suffered a 5-2 defeat on Saturday to end its regular season in a tie for third place in the league standings with UW-Stout (8-5-5, 3-1-3).
UW-La Crosse (16-1-2, 7-0 WIAC), ranked 16th in the NCAA Division III by the United Soccer Coaches, also entered Saturday's match unbeaten in WIAC play. The Eagles had wins in their previous six WIAC contests and defeated UW-Oshkosh to put the finishing touch on their third league title in program history.
UW-Oshkosh now centers its attention on the WIAC Championship, a six-team event that begins first-round play on Tuesday (Oct. 31).
UW-Oshkosh won a tiebreaker over UW-Stout to earn the tournament's third seed. The Titans will host sixth-seeded UW-River Falls (5-13-1, 2-4-1 WIAC) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.
Tuesday's other first-round match has fourth-seeded UW-Stout hosting fifth-seeded UW-Stevens Point (9-7-2, 2-3-2 WIAC).
Top-seeded UW-La Crosse and second-seeded UW-Whitewater (13-3-1, 4-2-1 WIAC) both earned byes and will host semifinal round contests on Thursday (Nov. 2).
The final of the WIAC Championship will be held at the site of the highest remaining seed next Saturday (Nov. 4).
UW-Oshkosh took a very quick lead over UW-La Crosse on Saturday as Alexis Brewer scored her third goal of the season just 24 seconds into play. Brewer's goal followed a pass from Maddie Morris.
Villars then took the match over by scoring goals for the Eagles during the game's fifth (4:23), 12th (11:52) and 46th (45:58) minute. Her first goal was unassisted while her second and third scores came right after a serve from Margaret Harings.
UW-Oshkosh cut its deficit to 3-2 on Kendra Jepson's goal in the 55th minute (54:49). Jepson's fourth goal of the season came off a perfectly executed corner kick from Alek Kleis.
UW-La Crosse regained its two-goal advantage on a score by Harings in the 60th minute (59:52). Her goal was assisted by Villars, who finished the contest with seven points.
The Eagles maintained their 4-2 lead until Olivia Karegeannes scored off a pass from Hayley Hargroder during the 74th minute (73:16) of activity.
UW-La Crosse posted advantages of 37-15 in shots, 21-6 in shots on goal and 8-3 in corner kicks. The Eagles attempted 19 shots and earned seven of their corner kicks in the first half.
UW-Oshkosh's shot count included three from both Jepson and Addie Schmitz. The Titans also received two shots apiece from Morris and Hannah Zacher.
UW-La Crosse had 10 players attempt multiple shots, including Harings and Villars who both launched six apiece. In addition to her score, Harings also had a shot during the 50th minute hit the crossbar.
UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Jessica Galason saved 16 shots while UW-La Crosse goalkeeper Lily Brock stopped four. Galason recorded eight saves in each half.
UW-Oshkosh compiled a 1-1 record in last year's WIAC Championship. The Titans marked a 3-2 overtime win over UW-Stout before losing a 3-1 decision to UW-Whitewater.
Photo courtesy of Jim Lund