Whitewater, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse soccer team, ranked 16th on this week's United Soccer Coaches Top-25 Poll, concluded its regular season with a 2-1 come-from-behind win at UW-Whitewater Saturday night at Robert W. Fiskum Field. The Eagles improve to 17-1-1 overall and finish 7-0 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The Warhawks conclude their regular season at 10-4-4 overall and 4-2-1 in the conference.
It marks UWL's second undefeated season in school history after also finishing 7-0 in 2017. The Eagles went 6-0-1 in 2018.
Maggie Hernandez tied the game in the second half.
UWL will the top-seed and UW-Whitewater the second seed for the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver's). Both teams receive first round byes and will host tournament semifinal games on Thursday, November 3. Along with being ranked 16th nationally, UWL is ranked second in Region IX. UW-Whitewater is ranked fifth in Region IX.
The Eagles extended their winning to 10 with Saturday's victory. It's the third-longest winning streak in school history. UWL won 14 consecutive games in 2018 and 12 straight in 2017.
The Warhawks took a 1-0 lead at 37:09 on Nina Malak's goal off a Jessica Smeltzer assist. UW-Whitewater maintained its 1-0 lead at halftime after outshooting UWL, 6-2, in the first 45:00.
UWL tied the contest at 1-1 on
Maggie Hernandez goal at 49:46. The Eagles completed the comeback as
Sydney Halstead scored at 78:26 to give UWL a 2-1 lead.
Ainsley Allan recorded the assist. UWL held UW-Whitewater to one shot the rest of the game.
UWL finished with six shots, including two on goal.
Ellie Behnke had two shots for the Eagles. UW-Whitewater totaled nine shots with three on goal. Allie Prigge led the Warhawks with four shots with one on goal. Emily Thill had two shots, including one on goal.
McKenna Lloyd earned the win, recording two saves for UWL. Jude Dobrinska suffered the loss for UW-Whitewater.
