La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse soccer team opened its 2025 season with a 7-0 victory over Carroll University (Wis.) Friday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. The Pioneers were also playing their season opener.

It is UWL's sixth straight season opening victory and improve to 9-2 in openers under head coach Jason Murphy.

The Eagles improved to 82-16-11 at home under Murphy, including 39-2-4 in the last five seasons.

In the first meeting between the teams since 2014, UWL took a 1-0 lead at 4:04 with Jessica Stewart scoring the Eagles' first goal of the season. Aubree Caya made it 2-0 at 7:20 off Ella Opie's assist. UWL extended the lead to 3-0 at 42:18 on Riley Veenendaal goal after Anya Carrillo assist.

UWL finished with 16 shots in the first half while holding Carroll (Wis.) to two. The Eagles had the game's five first half corner kicks.

Stewart notched her second goal of the game on a Catherine Arnold assist at 48:37 to give UWL a 4-0 advantage. Amaya Thesing's unassisted goal at 53:45 made it 5-0.
Jillian Sawadski scored at 60:52 off Kate Heiderscheit's assist and Grace Williams finished the scoring on a Claire Rankin assist with 78:12.

UWL finished with 27 shots in the game, including 13 on goal. Stewart and Williams each had three shots while six players recorded two. Seventeen different players had a shot. The Eagles had 14 corner kicks.

Carroll (Wis.) totaled six shots with three on goal. Brielle Ingalsbee led the Pioneers with two shots. Carroll (Wis.) had one corner kick.
 

Summer Nicolia and Erelyn Apel combined on the shutout in goal for UWL with Nicolia playing the first half and Apel the second. Nicolia recorded one save in earning the win while Apel finished with two saves.

Payton Brose suffered the loss for Carroll (Wis.), registering five saves. The Pioneers had one team save.

UWL returns to action Tuesday, September 2 hosting UW-Superior at 4 p.m.



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