La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse soccer team advanced to the third round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships with a 3-1 victory over Simpson College (Iowa) Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. The Eagles, ranked 11th on the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 Poll, improve to 19-1-1 and will face Loras College (Iowa) in the Round of 16. Date, time and location will be announced Monday, November 13. 

Simpson (Iowa) finishes its season at 16-3-2.  

With the win, UWL advances to the third round for the fifth time in six national tournament appearances. The Eagles played in the 2017 and 2021 quarterfinals and the third round in 2018 and 2022. UWL is 10-4-3 all-time in the NCAA Division III Championships with all six of its appearances coming under head coach Jason Murphy. The team made its first trip to the national championships in 2015.  

In the team's first meeting since 2008, UWL took a 1-0 lead at 21:20 on Sunday on Chelsea Gale's goal off assists from Ellie Arndt and Lindsey Szymanski. The Eagles maintained their 1-0 lead at halftime, outshooting the Storm, 15-5 in the first 45:00. UWL had all three of the game's first half corner kicks. 

Simpson (Iowa) tied the game quickly in the second half as Cassie Nash scored unassisted at 46:22 to make it 1-1. It was the Eagles' first goal allowed at home this season in 10 games. 

UWL responded at 58:17 with the eventual game-winning goal from Sera Speltz assisted from Arndt to make it 2-1. The Storm had a corner kick at 82:50 and Nash's shot in front of the net was saved by the Eagles to keep the score at 2-1. On the ensuing possession, Gale and Jillian Sawadski assisted Arndt's goal at 83:34 to extend UWL's lead to 3-1. Simpson (Iowa) was held to one shot the rest of the game. 
 

UWL finished with 20 shots on Sunday, including 11 on goals. Arndt recorded four shots with three on goal while finishing with one goal and two assists. Gale and Claire Cater each had three shots, including two on goal, as Gale recorded one goal and one assist. 

Sophia Anger earned the win in goal, finishing with four saves. UWL had one team save. 

Simpson (Iowa) recorded 11 shots with six goal. Nash finished with four shots, all coming on goal. Lani Mears had eight saves for the Storm. 

UWL and Loras (Iowa) will be meeting for the second time in the NCAA Division III Championships after finishing in a 2-2 tie in the 2021 quarterfinals. Loras (Iowa) advanced to the national semifinals with a 4-3 shootout victory.