Offensive Spurt Leads Titans Past Belles

UW-Oshkosh scored three unanswered goals midway through the second half to pull away and defeat Saint Mary's College (Ind.), 4-2, in a women's soccer match held Sunday (Sept. 5) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The contest was tied 1-1 before Caitlin Casey (Sr. • Waukesha) put UW-Oshkosh ahead for good with an assisted goal by Becca Blue (So. • Kimberly) in the 60th minute (59:01) of play.

UW-Oshkosh increased its lead to 3-1 when Carmen Fiordellisi (Jr. • Howard) scored off passes from Blue and Casey in the 68th minute (67:52).

Blue then concluded UW-Oshkosh's nine-minute, three-goal barrage with an unassisted goal in the 69th minute (68:17).

Saint Mary's College, a first-time opponent of UW-Oshkosh, cut its deficit to 4-2 on an unassisted goal by Katelyn Tondo-Steele in the 80th minute (79:22).

Each team scored in the first half, with UW-Oshkosh (2-1) taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Casey in the 18th minute (17:59). Assisting on the scoring strike was Chelsea Kierszh (Fr. • Oshkosh). The Titans maintained a 1-0 lead until Mollie Valencia converted a free kick for the Belles in the 43rd minute (42:36).

UW-Oshkosh compiled 18 shots, including six by Casey and two each by Blue, Jessica Erny (Jr. • Wauwatosa) and Kelsey Spaith (Jr. • Madison). Saint Mary's College (0-3) tallied 11 shots, including three by Valencia and two by Ashley Morfin.

Goalkeepers Brittany Walder (Jr. • Waukesha) of UW-Oshkosh and Kristen Nelson of Saint Mary's College both saved seven shots.

UW-Oshkosh travels to Iowa for matches on Friday (Sept. 10) at Wartburg College and Saturday (Sept. 12) at Grinnell College.