By: Josh Sinclair

Sept. 21, 2016

The UW-Whitewater women’s soccer team traveled to Bloomington, Illinois and upended the nation’s No. 3 team, Washington University in St. Louis.

Before the ’Hawks upset Washington-St. Louis, the Wahawks (7-1) faced the Luther College Norse on Sept. 14 at Fiskum Field.

The Warhawks started the game fast, putting pressure on the Norse of Luther early, firing four shots in the first 12 minutes of play.

Nineteen minutes into the contest, senior Carly Pottle broke the stalemate. Pottle corralled a pass from Kaci Schonert and knocked it into the goal, giving the Warhawks a 1-0 advantage.

“We have a number of quality players in attacking positions who each bring different skill sets to each match,” Coach Ryan Quamme said.

The lead was short-lived as the Norse retaliated with a goal in the 23rd minute to tie the game at one.

As time ticked down, senior Brianna Reid found Pottle for her second goal of the game. In the 84th minute of the game, she gave the Warhawks a 2-1 lead.

Next up for the Warhawks was a showdown with “Washington-St. Louis University on Sept. 17 in Bloomington, Illinois.

“We always try to play a tough non-conference schedule as I believe playing strong competition best prepares our team for WIAC play,” Quamme said.

The Bears (4-1) outshot Whitewater by an 8-1 advantage in the first half. In the second half the Warhawks were able to turn the tables and put more shots on net, with a count of 5-4.

Of the five shots the Warhawks took in the second half, they managed to squeak one by the keeper and that proved to be enough.

“I was especially proud of our defensive effort in all three matches this week as all the players committed to defending as a team limiting quality scoring chances for our opponents,” Quamme said.

With the defense preventing the Bears from getting on the board, Reid’s sixth goal of the season was the game winner.

After the victory against “Wash U,” the ’Hawks had a quick turnaround playing No. 17 ranked De Pauw University just a day later.

Freshman goalkeeper Sara Klimisch improved to 6-0 on the season with the win.

“One of the biggest strengths to our team this year is our depth and diversity in all positions,” Quamme said. “The ability to rotate players on the defensive side allows for us to have fresh legs late in the game and limit scoring opportunities for the opponent.”

Junior midfielder Marie Lesperance registered the first goal for UW-W in the fourth minute off a pass from Reid.

The next 56 minutes remained scoreless until junior midfielder Morgan Beaty received a pass from Pottle and the Warhawks doubled their lead.

In the 73rd minute, sophomore midfielder Mackenzie Serbousek took a shot from the left side of the box and the Warhawk lead grew to 3-0.

The Tigers recorded their lone goal of the match on a penalty kick in the 79th minute, but the Warhawks held on for the 3-1 victory.

“It was a great week for our team getting three wins vs teams that will be in the mix for the NCAA Tournament at the end of the year,” Quamme said. “Our team continues to gel and improve on both sides of the ball and gained valuable experience from being in three quality matches this last week.”

The Warhawks continue non-conference play at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Augustana, in Rock Island, Illinois.