By Josh Sinclair

Dec. 9, 2015

Reaching the national quarterfinals for the first time in school history, the UW-W women’s soccer team set records for wins (20) and goals (68).

The last game of the season for the athletes was against No. 4 Washington-St. Louis where the Warhawks fell 1-0.

“It was very enjoyable run to the Elite Eight this season and we showed that we belonged,” coach Ryan Quamme said. “Losing a hard fought match to Washington University, who is a national powerhouse in division three women’s soccer, after making it as far as we did, was a real testament to our athletes and how they played.”

The Bears (20-2) recorded the lone goal of the contest in the 41st minute. They also managed to outshoot the Warhawks 23-4.

UW-Whitewater received the WIAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after winning the conference tournament. The ’Hawks tallyed consecutive shutouts wins on the road over opponents it had lost to during the regular season en route to the conference tournament title.

“I think what sums up this team’s drive and commitment to succeed is the fact they were able to rectify three regular seasons losses in post season play (UW-la Crosse, UW-Oshkosh and Illinois Wesleyan),” Quamme said.

The Warhawks hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament at Fiskum Field. The team downed Carroll 1-0 in overtime before punching its ticket to the round of 16, with a 2-0 triumph over Wheaton College. It was the program’s first-ever win against the Thunder.

Undaunted by a loss to Illinois Wesleyan in its first match of the regular season, UW-Whitewater registered a 2-1 overtime win over the No. 7 Titans in the round of 16 to set up the showdown against the fourth-ranked Bears.

The Warhawks had many athletes honored for their individual play. Junior Brianna Reid was selected as the offensive player of the year in the WIAC, her second-consecutive year receiving the honor.

Reid was selected to the All-WIAC first team along with teammates, junior defender Carina Krausert, sophomore midfielder Marie Lesperance, junior midfielder Carly Pottle, and freshman midfielder Mackenzie Serbousek.

Sophomore forward Morgan Beaty was named a UW-W representative on the All-Sportsmanship team.

“It was pretty cool that so many of us got those honors, but we just try to do everything we can to help our team,” Pottle said. “We couldn’t have gotten those honors without our teammates. In my opinion some other girls deserved to get recognized, and I know the rest of the girls who were honored feel the same. It took all 30 girls to reach our goals.”

The Warhawks finsished 20-5 on the season and are slated to return all but one starter next season, senior midfielder Jenna Woodson being the exception.

“In the past we have not peaked at the right time and our team captains (Jenna Woodson, Brianna Reid, Carly Pottle and Carina Krausert) deserve credit for keeping our team focused and driven throughout the season, it was one of the reasons we reached a level we never could get to before,” Quamme said.