Box Score La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse soccer team earned a 3-2 win over Luther College (Iowa) Wednesday night at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. UWL improves to 5-1 on the season while Luther (Iowa) falls to 2-2-1.
UWL is off to its best start at 5-1 since 2004.
The game was called at 80:32 due to inclement weather in the area, after it had been delayed for nearly 40 minutes earlier in the second half due to lightning.
Luther (Iowa) started the scoring 5:37 into the game with Melisse Chasse's second goal of the year.
"Luther was motivated from the get-go tonight," said UWL head coach
Jason Murphy. "We played a great game last year that we won 1-0, but it could have gone either way, and they came out strong. They will win a lot of games this year."
The Eagles tied the game at 1-1 on
Maya Schmitt's first goal of the year at 29:07. Schmitt headed the ball in off a long pass from
Kourtni Alcock.
Early in the second half, the Norse took a 2-1 lead on a Ellie Bunz penalty kick at 49:20, but
Haley Hartkemeyer's goal just :27 seconds later tied it at 2-2. It was Hartkemeyer's third goal of the year.
"Haley played very well," added Murphy. "She played up top and in the midfield, and was dynamic and explosive tonight."
Lightning delayed the game at the 58:45 mark, and when the teams returned from their locker rooms, play resumed in heavy rain and increased winds.
UWL's
Natalie Herzog scored to give the Eagles a 3-2 lead at 74:38. It was her third goal of the season, all of which have been game winners for UWL.
Ashley Osmek added the assist for the Eagles.
"Natalie is really getting it done down the stretch, and putting us in position to win games," said Murphy.
At 80:32, the game was called by the head official due to diminishing weather in the area, giving the Eagles the victory to remain unbeaten (3-0) at home this year.
"Conditions were slick in the second half, but it didn't change our game plan," said Murphy. "We executed well once we got the lead, and our back line really finished strong, and helped us hold on to win tonight."
Kennedy Brault moved to 5-1 on the season, recording six saves. UWL had 19 shots in the game, including six on goal. Luther (Iowa) had 13 shots with eight on goal. Lauren Thormodsgard finished with three saves for the Norse.
UWL and Luther (Iowa) are now tied, 5-5-1, in the all-time series between the teams.
UWL, ranked fifth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) North Region, returns to action Friday, September 23 at Carthage College (Wis.) at 7 p.m.
