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Women's Soccer

UW-Oshkosh clinched its first outright WIAC championship on Mackenzie Bennett's overtime header from four yards.
UW-Oshkosh clinched its first outright WIAC championship on Mackenzie Bennett's overtime header from four yards.

Titans Secure Outright WIAC Championship With Overtime Goal

Box Score

UW-Oshkosh put the finishing touch on a perfect Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's soccer season by winning a dramatic 1-0 overtime decision over UW-River Falls on Saturday (Oct. 30) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The Titans dominated UW-River Falls by counts of 30-2 in shots, 17-1 in shots on goal and 11-3 in corner kicks but couldn't close the door on the Falcons until Mackenzie Bennett headed a 4-yard shot into the goal off a Rylie Kaufmann corner kick during the sixth minute (95:18) of overtime. Bennett's goal was her third of the season, including her first career match winner.

UW-Oshkosh defeated all seven of its WIAC opponents this season to capture its first outright league championship and second title overall. The Titans, who allowed just four goals to its WIAC rivals this season, shared the 2015 league championship with UW-La Crosse.

UW-Oshkosh (14-2-1) will be the top seed for the six-team WIAC Tournament that commences with a pair of first-round matches on Tuesday (Nov. 2). The Titans earned a first round bye and will host a semifinal round contest on Thursday (Nov. 4) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-La Crosse (13-3-2, 6-1 WIAC) is the WIAC Tournament's second seed while UW-Stevens Point (8-10, 4-3) is third, UW-Whitewater (12-6, 4-3) fourth, UW-Eau Claire (9-8-2, 3-4) and UW-Stout (11-7-1, 3-4) sixth.

UW-Oshkosh's 30 shots against UW-River Falls on Saturday included 17 that were launched in the second half. Kaufmann and Greta Hanthorn paced the Titans with six shots apiece and Knight with five.

The Titans narrowly missed on three opportunities to score in the second half as Knight had a penalty kick saved in the 47th minute while Knight and Alexia Poulos had shots hit the post during the 61st and 71st minute, respectively.

UW-River Falls (6-11-2, 0-6-2 WIAC) tallied its two shots against the Titans in the second half, including Gretchen Hanson's kick that was saved by UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Erin Toomey in the 51st minute.

Toomey's lone save enabled her to obtain her seventh shutout of the season and the 11th of her career.

UW-River Falls goalkeeper Kaylie Krueger saved 16 UW-Oshkosh shots, including nine in the second half and one in overtime.

UW-Oshkosh extended its winning streak to seven matches and its home winning streak to 12. The Titans haven't lost at J. J. Keller Field at Titan stadium since a 2-0 defeat to UW-Whitewater on October 9, 2019.

UW-Oshkosh has outscored its 17 opponents this year, 45-10, including 22-3 during the second half and overtime. The Titans have also posted advantages of 314-131 in shots and 174-54 in shots on goal.

UW-Oshkosh is seeking its third WIAC Tournament title and first since 2014. The Titans won their first conference postseason championship in 2011.

Photo by Terri Cole