The women’s soccer team started the season as if they continued from a season ago. The defending WIAC champions defeated Concordia University 5-1 last Thursday.

The `Hawks will take on Loras College in their first home game of the season Wednesday evening at Fiskum Field.

Both the men and women’s teams will be hosting Welcome Back Night for students and faculty. Both teams will square off with the Duhawks, with the women starting at 5:30 p.m. and the men at 7:30 p.m.

This year’s Welcome Back Night will also feature the inaugural competition for the “Hawk Cup.” The ‘Hawks and the Duhawks will battle it out for the traveling trophy to be given to the winner each year.

“The game management will have some events at halftime and some giveaways, it should be a lot of fun,” coach Greg Henschel said. “We just want to encourage people to come out and see our teams compete, regardless of the sport, and we want to show appreciation to the people who come out and support our athletes.”

Senior Pamela Lisowe scored the `Hawks first goal of the season at the 17 minute mark off of an assist by fellow senior Emily Gerber. Gerber then assisted the second goal of the game scored by freshman Riley Kirchoff at about the 30-minute mark.

The `Hawks scored quickly coming out of halftime, after Lisowe assisted junior Alyssa Chamberlain to put the team ahead 3-0.

The Stingers responded with their own goal shortly after to make it a 3-1 game, but would get no closer. That lone goal scored by Concordia last

Thursday is also the only goal they have ever scored in the six games played against UW-Whitewater.

Sophomore Laren Nashleanas scored at the 57-minute mark thanks to a Chamberlain assist. The team then capped the scoring at the 76-minute mark with a goal from freshman Kelsey Kohlbeck, who was assisted by freshman Kaitlin Traverse.

Henschel said that it was a good team effort.

“It was a good team game,” Henschel said. “There was a lot of unselfish play, and it was great to see the players looking for the right opportunity to score and making that extra pass. As a coach it’s great to see your players playing that way so early in the season.”