SUPERIOR, Wis. – The UW-Superior women's soccer team triumphed in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) semifinal, securing a 4-1 victory over the Crown College Polars at the Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium on Wednesday night. With this win, the Yellowjackets advance to the UMAC Championship match, continuing their impressive season. This marks the fourth consecutive appearance in the championship for UW-Superior, where they have claimed the title in each of the past three seasons.
After tonight's matchup, the Yellowjackets are now 14-7-0 overall.
With just two minutes remaining in the first half,
Niamh Larson (Brookfield, Ill./Riverside Brookfield) scored her first collegiate goal, which would prove to be the game-winner, giving the Yellowjackets a 2-1 lead. Off a free kick near the 30-yard line,
Halle Carlson (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown) unleashed a powerful shot that fired off the crossbar. Positioned perfectly in front of the net, Larson was in the right place at the right time, as the ball rebounded down and deflected off her shoulder into the net.
Yellowjacket goalkeeper
Quinn Clark (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) got the start in net. Clark faced seven attempted shots and was credited with two saves. Clark is now 7-4-0 in net.
Match Notes
- With tonight's victory, the Yellowjackets extended their winning streak over the Polars to 20 consecutive games.
- The Yellowjackets asserted dominance from the start, spending much of the first half in Crown's territory. UWS took the lead in the eighth minute through an own goal, set up by Niya Wilson's (Superior, Wis./Superior) pressure on net. Wilson fired a shot to the right side of the net, but the ball deflected off a Crown defender attempting to clear it, redirecting into the Polars' goal, and putting the Yellowjackets up 1-0.
- With ten minutes left in the first half, the Polars equalized the score. Ella Hosmer chipped the ball over to Emma Domka, who sent a high, arcing shot from the left corner of the 18-yard box, soaring over Clark and into the net.
- In the 58th minute, Allison Alessi (Shakopee, Minn./Prior Lake) put the Yellowjackets up 3-1 with a stunning strike. From the center of the field, just outside the 20-yard line, she unleashed a powerful shot that sailed to the upper left corner of the net. The ball was perfectly placed, giving the goalkeeper no chance to react as it found the back of the net.
- With ten minutes remaining in the second half, Lindrey Schendel (Longmount, Colo./Skyline) netted her second goal of the season, giving the Yellowjackets some breathing room and a 4-1 lead. From just outside the 18-yard box at the center of the field, Schendel fired a shot toward the Polars' goalkeeper. The keeper managed to get a hand on it but couldn't secure the ball, allowing it to slip past her and into the net, further solidifying the Yellowjackets' commanding advantage. Liberty Dickerson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) was credited with the assist on the play, having set up the shot for Schendel.
The Yellowjackets return to action on Saturday, Nov. 9, when they host Bethany Lutheran for the UMAC Championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium.
