Newport News, Va. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse soccer team split its two-game trip to Virginia with a 1-0 victory over Virginia Wesleyan University Sunday at Christopher Newport University (Va.) and Jennings Stadium. UWL, ranked 12th on the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 Poll, improve to 8-1 on the season. Virginia Wesleyan falls to 5-3 on the year. 

It is the Eagles' sixth shutout of the season. UWL fell, 1-0, at second-ranked Christopher Newport (Va.) on Saturday, September 23. I

UWL now leads the all-time series, 2-1, with Virginia Wesleyan. The Eagles earned a 2-1 victory at Virginia Wesleyan in 2018 while the Marlins picked up a 2-1 win in the third round of the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships.

Sydney Halstead scored the game's only goal on Sunday, coming at 12:02, off assists from Alexis McMahon and Chelsea Gale. UWL had three shots in the first half while Virginia Wesleyan totaled four. UWL had three corner kicks in the first 45:00. 

UWL held Virginia Wesleyan to one shot in the last 12:00 of the game. 

The Eagles finished with eight shots in the game with three on goal. Gale had two shots while Halstead, Ellie Arndt and Lizzy Hanstedt each recorded shots on goal. 

The Marlins also recorded eight shots, including three on goal. Alexis Miller finished with three shots with two on goal. 

Each team had one corner kick in the second half. 

Sophia Anger earned the shutout for UWL, registering three saves. Rachel Quigley suffered the loss for Virginia Wesleyan, finishing with two saves.

UWL opens Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play Saturday, September 30 at UW-Oshkosh at 7 p.m.