St. Peter, Minn. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse soccer team rallied for a 5-2 victory at Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) Wednesday afternoon at the Gustie Soccer Field. The Eagles improve to 8-2-1 on the season with their seventh straight win overall while the Gusties drop to 4-6-1. 

The seven-game winning streak is tied for the third-longest in single-season school history. UWL won a school record 16 straight games in 2017.

With the win, UWL head coach Jason Murphy recorded his 100th career victory as head coach. He is now 100-57-14 in nine years as head coach, including 59-24-11 in five seasons at the helm of the Eagles.  Murphy went 41-33-3 in four years as head coach at Marian University (Wis.).

"This milestone is a direct reflection on the amazing young women I have been able to coach during my career," said Murphy. "I am so thankful for all the hard work they have put into our programs."  

UWL, ranked 23rd on D3soccer.com and receiving votes on United Soccer Coaches,  trailed 1-0 at halftime after Kylie Lamberty gave Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) a 1-0 lead on an unassisted goal at 24:08. It was her first goal of the season. The Gusties had 12 shots in the first half while the Eagles totaled 10.

"Gustavus had a great plan and got a head on us in the first half," said Murphy. "We were into the wind and played well in the first half, but were still down. We knew if we were focused and disciplined in our possession, we would be able to create chances after the half."

UWL tied the game at 49:44 with Natalie Herzog getting her third goal of the year with an assist from Margaret Harings. Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) came right back at 50:25 to retake the lead at 2-1 as Emily Skogseth scored unassisted, her third goal of the season.

The Eagles rallied with a pair of goals to take a 3-2 lead before an hour lightning delay.  Maya Schmitt's unassisted goal at 54:00 tied the game, 2-2, and Cassie Handrick scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season at 57:31 with an assist from Alex Cording. It would end up being the game-winning goal, Handrick's team-high fourth of the year. Schmitt recorded her fourth goal of the season Wednesday.

The game was delayed for an hour due to lightning in the area, but UWL responded with a pair of goals to take a 5-2 lead. Kaitlyn Villars made it 4-2 at 76:45 with an assist from Schmitt and Handrick finished the scoring at 78:11, assisted by Herzog.  Villars recorded her third goal of 2018 while Handrick notched her seventh.

"We obviously were not excited about waiting out the weather, but scoring two goals in the first four minutes really showed our mental toughness and focus," said Murphy. "I was very proud of how we played to finish out the match."

UWL totaled 23 shots, including 19 on goal. Herzog finished with five shots, including four on goal, while all three of Handrick's shots were on goal. The Eagles finished with 13 shots in the second half while the Gusties totaled two.
 
Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) finished the game with 14 shots, including five on goal.

Lily Brock earned the win for UWL, recording three saves. Leah Pavlish finished with 14 saves for Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.).

UWL returns to action Saturday, October 6 hosting UW-Whitewater at 3 p.m.