Dubuque, Iowa - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse soccer team opened its 2017 season with a 4-0 shutout victory at the University of Dubuque (Iowa) Friday night. Both teams were playing in their season opener.

UWL, coming off a school record 14 victories in 2016, tallied three goals in the first half Friday night.  Cassie Handrick got the scoring started with an unassisted goal at 6:48 to make it 1-0.  Natalie Herzog made it 2-0 at 14:56 with an assist from Maddie Granos.

The Eagles' Alex Cording ended the scoring in the first half with a goal on a penalty kick at 18:51 to make it 3-0 at halftime.

Rachel Rogahn gave UWL a 4-0 advantage at 66:07 assisted by Kaitlyn Villars.

UWL finished with 14 shots, including seven each half. The team had seven shots on goal. Herzog led the Eagles with three shots while Cording, Herzog and Handrick each finished with two.

Dubuque (Iowa) totaled seven shots, including six on goal. Lauren Cangelosi had two shots. 

Kennedy Brault (45:00), Lily Brock (31:51) and Meghan Cannestra (13:09) combined on the shutout for UWL with Brault recording four saves and Brock and Cannestra one each.  UWL tied a school record with 10 shutouts last season.

Paige Dykstra (45:00) and Victoria Roethler (45:00) split time in goal for Dubuque (Iowa) with Dykstra allowing three goals with one save. Roethler finished with one goal allowed while recording two saves.

UWL returns to action Sunday, September 3 at the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) at 3 p.m.