Defending Champion Eagles Defeat Titans In WIAC Opener

The UW-Oshkosh women's soccer team opened its seven-match WIAC schedule with a 5-0 loss to defending league champion UW-La Crosse on Saturday (Sept. 29) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-La Crosse, which advanced to the quarterfinal round of last year's NCAA Division III Championship, received goals from five different players, including Cassie Handrick and Margaret Harings who both assisted on another score

Handrick gave UW-La Crosse (6-2-1, 1-0 WIAC) a quick 1-0 lead when she scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season off a Harings pass just 2:33 into play. Handrick's 18-yard kick entered the goal after deflecting off a UW-Oshkosh defender.

The Eagles went to intermission with a 2-0 advantage after Harings scored on a 15-yard kick during the 14th minute (13:59) of action. Harings converted her boot following a serve from Kaitlyn Villars. 

UW-La Crosse attempted 13 of the opening period's 14 shots and owned two of the session's three corner kicks.

UW-La Crosse scored twice in a span of 75 seconds to increase its lead to 4-0 midway through the second half. The Eagles received goals from Natalie Herzog in the game's 64th minute (63:14) and Maya Schmitt in the 65th (64:29). Both scores came off 10-yard kicks, including Schmitt's which followed a corner kick by Handrick. Natalie Jamison was credited with the assist on Herzog's goal.

The Eagles closed their scoring on a goal by Hannah Beech with 4:57 (85:03) remaining. Her 20-yard kick was assisted by Hannah Anderson.

UW-La Crosse outshot UW-Oshkosh (3-6-1, 0-1 WIAC), 7-6, in the second half and posted a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.

UW-Oshkosh's seven overall shots included three that were saved by UW-La Crosse goalkeeper Lily Brock in the second half. Brock stopped shots by Titan Mallory Knight in the 56th and 75th minute and Mackenzie Bennett in the 77th. Knight finished the contest with a team-leading four shots.

UW-La Crosse's overall shot count of 20 featured five by Harings, four by Handrick and three by Alex Cording. The Eagles had six of their shots saved by UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Erin Toomey.

UW-Oshkosh continues WIAC play at UW-Whitewater on Wednesday (Oct. 3).