Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams captured WIAC titles over the weekend. For the men, it’s their third consecutive title while the women have captured their second straight.
The men secured a 5-0 win over Finlandia University on Saturday to advance to 7-0 in the WIAC and 11-7 overall. The women defeated UW-Eau Claire, 2-1, advancing to 6-1-1 in the WIAC and 12-4-1 overall.
Head coach, Greg Henschel, feels both teams performed well.
“The men played a solid match with good concentration. It was good to see them score four first half goals,” Henschel said. “The women played another solid match. They are working hard for each other and they are playing with great passion and concentration.”
Logan Fye scored the Warhawks’ first goal – his eighth goal of the season. Sam Kuchenreuther scored the `Hawks second goal with an assist from Jared Denu, and Jonathon Fischer scored in the 37th minute making the score 3-0 over the Lions.
Kuchenreuther scored his third goal of the season giving the `Hawks a 4-0 lead at half.
“It was definitely a good feeling to get the first goal,” Fye said. “It’s always nice to score first, especially early. We always look to come out with high pressure early in order to get an early goal.”
The ’Hawks continued to dominate the pitch with Kevin Kron giving them the five goal advantage, his ninth of the season, and the win. Aaron Sesselmann and Matt Mikesell had a fairly easy game as the Lions failed to net any balls.
“I feel that everyone had a solid game against Finlandia,” Kron said. “We knew that a win would make us conference champs so we all put forth a great effort…We’ve set the bar high for future Warhawks and hope they can continue to be a championship team.”
The men’s team has won the title all three years they have been a part of the conference.
According to Henschel, the men’s next goal is to make it into the NCAA tournament.
“When the men decide to defend well and together, we have the ability to beat anyone,” Henschel said.
According to Fye, the men have created a new tradition of bringing home the WIAC title and look to continue the tradition. The men look to continue on the pitch for their final conference match against UW-Oshkosh at 7 p.m. Friday at home.
“I think the team is very excited to play UW-Oshkosh for our final conference match,” Kron said. “They’ve always been a strong team to go up against, but our goal is to go undefeated in conference and we will be ready for them.”
The women contested with the Blugolds until the 30th minute when the ’Hawks all time leading scorer, Emily Gerber, scored her twelfth goal this season putting the ’Hawks on the board. After half, Christina Tooren shot her ninth goal of the season bringing the `Hawks to a 2-0 lead over the Blugolds.
“It was a very good team effort,” Henschel said.
The Blugolds got on the board towards the end of the match giving the ’Hawks another WIAC title and the number one seed in the WIAC tournament.
“[The goal is] to win whatever games lie ahead of us,” Henschel said.
The ’Hawks play Thursday at 2 p.m. and with a win will gain home field advantage for the finals. The winner of the WIAC tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division-III nationals.
“Based on some of the nationally ranked teams we played earlier this season, we have the ability to win games in the NCAA tournament,” Henschel said.
