Women’s soccer suffers defeat in final game

Katie McIlheran

UW-Whitewater Warhawk players celebrate a goal against UW-La Crosse Oct. 29 2022.

Olga Gatesi, Assist. Women's Sports Editor
October 30, 2022

The women’s soccer team wrapped up their regular season with a loss against UW-Lacrosse 1-2 on Oct. 29 at Robert Fiskum Field. Despite the unfortunate loss, with the season coming to a close for UW-Whitewater Warhawks the team played tough defensively. 

UW-Whitewater player Allie Prigge races against UW-La Crosse player to the ball Oct. 29 2022. (Katie McIlheran )

Both sides played with swift  tempo throughout the first half of the game. Shortly after, sophomore Nina Malak of Middleton, Wisconsin, scored her team’s first goal, which was made possible by a superb assist from midfielder Jessica Smeltzer. During the first half, Lacrosse had most of the ball possession, but Whitewater mainly kept it on the Lacrosse side of the field.

“Tonight was a close loss against another one, but overall I was pleased with how the team has done this whole season,” said Warhawks head coach Ryan Quamme .

The rest of the first half was a battle over midfield possession with both squads creating turnovers in the middle of the field and creating chances on each end, UW- Lacrosse came into the second half extremely aggressive. The Eagles scored their first goal during a scramble in front of the net. In the frenzy, UW- Whitewater Warhawks blocked a couple of shots, but one broke through in the 50th. That result remained the same until the Eagles seized a 2-1 lead in the 79th minute.

Warhawk player Emily Thill takes the ball down the field against UW-La Crosse Oct. 29 2022.
( Katie McIlheran )

After speaking with a fifth-year student, Sarah Clancy from Palatine, Illinois, she pointed to the fact that the game demonstrated their ability to compete with teams like lacrosse as well as stating that it also inspired her to come into the tournament with a different perspective. 

“We have had a strong season compared to last year, we are playing more as a team now, and we have a variety of people who can put the ball into the net, and that being said I have faith in my team that one will finish,” said Sarah Clancy. 

UW-Whitewater players fight for the ball against UW-La Crosse Oct. 29 2022.
(Katie McIlheran )

Overall, coach Quamme expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance this season, saying that despite playing a challenging schedule, they did an incredible job overall.

On Thursday, November 3 at 6 p.m. at Fiskum Field, UWW will host a semifinal game against the team with the highest remaining seed out of UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Eau Claire.