Dubuque, Iowa, -- The UW-Superior women's soccer team made history with their strongest showing ever in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. Traveling to Iowa for Saturday's opening round, the Yellowjackets faced a formidable opponent in No. 25-ranked Carleton. In an intense and hard-fought match, neither team could find the back of the net through regulation and two overtimes.
The game was ultimately decided by penalty kicks, where Carleton edged out UW-Superior 3-2 to advance to the next round. Despite the narrow loss, the match marked a historic achievement for the Yellowjackets, showcasing their growth as a program and solidifying their place on the national stage.
Quinn Clark (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) got the start in goal for the Yellowjackets and delivered an outstanding performance, keeping her team in the game. She faced 20 shots on goal, making eight key saves throughout the match. Clark finishes the season with a record of 8-4-1.
Match Notes
- Brynne Crystal (Wayzata, Minn./Wayzata) led the Yellowjackets with two shots on goal, while Mya Holmquist (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) had one.
- UW-Superior recorded three shots on goal and eight total attempts against Carleton's goalkeeper, maintaining steady offensive pressure throughout the match.
- The Yellowjackets committed four fouls, half as many as Carleton's eight.
- Niya Wilson (Superior, Wis./Superior) took the first shot for the Yellowjackets, sending a low right attempt that was saved by Carleton's goalkeeper.
- Elysabeth Lough (Las Vegas, Nev./Northwest Career and Technical Academy) entered the match for the penalty kicks and the first attempt sored over the net while making a crucial save on Carleton's first second attempt.
- Ava Giswold (Proctor, Minn./Proctor) then stepped up for UW-Superior, placing a low left shot into the net to give the Yellowjackets a 1-0 lead.
- Holmquist extended the lead to 2-0, scoring a low right shot past Carleton's keeper.
- Carleton's Claire Burbery responded, putting the Knights on the board with a successful shot, making it 2-1.
- Brenna Mattson (Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet Senior) for UW-Superior fired her shot off the right post, keeping the score 2-1.
- Thea Thaw equalized for Carleton, converting her shot to tie it 2-2.
- Tori Vosburg's (Cloquet, Minn./Esko) low right shot was saved by Carleton goalkeeper Avery Trapp, keeping it tied.
- Kathryn Kresse sealed the win for Carleton with a low left shot, securing a 3-2 penalty kick victory, and sending the Knights to the next round.
UWS ends their 2024 season with an overall record of 15-7-1.
