By Emily Leclair

After a thrilling overtime victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the UW-Whitewater women’s soccer team bowed out in the second round in a 1-0 defeat to Capital University on Sunday night.

The Warhawks defeated the College of St. Scholastica Saints Saturday at Fiskum Field by a score of 3-2, advancing to the second round of the tournament.

The weather was an advantage to the ‘Hawks during the first half of the game with the wind at their backs. The ‘Hawks pressured the Saints, taking 14 shots in the first 45 minutes.

Freshman defender Sierra High put the team on the board with a corner kick into the far side of the net. The goal put the ’Hawks ahead 1-0 at the 21:23 mark. Less than two minutes after subbing into the game, freshman midfielder Emma Guilfoil scored her second goal of the season off a loose ball.

Freshman Lauren Baugrud set the goal up with a hard shot on goal that was knocked away by a Saints defender.

The Saints had the advantage with the wind in the second half when the teams switched goals.

“The weather played a huge factor tonight, and we knew in the second half we were going to have to defend,” head coach Ryan Quamme said.

The Saints got on the scoreboard in the 69th minute and tied the game with another goal ten minutes later.

“I think we did get a bit rattled, and that’s why we lost our lead, but we got the result in overtime,” junior goalkeeper Jordan Myers said.

The ‘Hawks have been behind by two goals in two matches this season and have fought back to tie or win. This was the first game this season they gave up a 2-0 lead.

In both games in which the ‘Hawks were behind, freshman forward Brianna Reid led the team to a comeback.

The game went into overtime, and just 20 seconds in, High sent the ball into the box off a set play that Reid headed past the Saints goalkeeper. The goal was Reid’s 13th goal of the season, and it sent the ’Hawks into the second round.

“Tonight’s win was as strong as we’ve played all year,” Quamme said. “I think it’s hard because we don’t see these teams, so it’s hard to prepare for them.”

The ‘Hawks were scheduled to play Capital University at Fiskum Field Sunday, but due to thunderstorms and heavy rain, there was standing water on the field, and it was deemed unplayable. The game was moved to the UW-Milwaukee soccer complex.

“We were disappointed that we didn’t get to play our last game on our home field,” Myers said.

It was a hard-fought game by both teams with wind gusts reaching 45 miles per hour. The first and only goal of the game came from Capital in the 42nd minute.

The ‘Hawks had more scoring opportunities throughout the contest, with the advantage in shots, 16-8, and corner kicks, 13-3.

The team finished the 2013 season as the best season in school history, with an overall record of 17-1-4 and 8-0 in conference.

The Warhawks broke the school record for the most wins in a season with 17 and gave up the second-fewest goals in a season. The team had 38 assists for the season, fifth-best in the school record book and tied for the seventh-most goals with 47.

Reid finished the season as the leading scorer with 13 goals, and Myers finished with 79 saves in the net.

The team says goodbye to four seniors: defenders Amy Green, Jessica Allemang, Laren Nashleanas and midfielder Samantha Hoerchner.

“What those four seniors have helped do is change a culture,” Quamme said. “I just appreciate all their help and their support with moving the program forward, and I’m very proud of where they’re leaving the program compared to where they came in.”

Nashleanas reflected on her past four seasons here at Whitewater.

“It was such an awesome feeling to be part of such a cool atmosphere that Quamme and our previous coach created,” Nashleanas said. “He’s made college athletics such a great experience for me and the entire team.”