VERONA, Wis. – An early goal off the foot of Tateum Speich made all the difference on Saturday afternoon, as Edgewood University hosted Wisconsin Lutheran College in the NACC Tournament Quarterfinal. The fourth-seeded Eagles hosted the fifth-seeded Warriors following a regular season loss at the Warriors on Wednesday. Edgewood University battled back on home turf, claiming a 1-0 win over Wisconsin Lutheran to advance to the NACC Tournament Quarterfinal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Tateum Speich found the back of the net when it mattered most on Saturday. The sophomore netted her first career goal in the 10th minute to give Edgewood University (10-8-2, 8-3-1 NACC) an early advantage. Speich and the Eagles attack caught the Warriors off guard, as a pass from Sarah Bolchen found Speich in empty ground. Speich's shot from outside the box found the bottom left corner of the net.
- The Eagles defense remained tough through the rest of the first half, reducing the impact of six shots, three on target from Wisconsin Lutheran College (13-5-0, 8-4-0 NACC). Madeline Brown locked down the Eagles defense with three saves in the first 45 minutes.
- After halftime, the Warriors continued to pressure the Eagles defense, taking 11 shots and totaling three corner kicks in the second half. The Eagles defense did well to limit the power of the Warriors set pieces in the final 45 minutes.
- Riley Haertle and Lauren Mesa both recorded key shots on target in the second half.
- In the end, the Eagles fended off 17 shots from the Warriors, while taking six of their own.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Speich netted the first goal of her career on Saturday to lead the Eagles attack.
- Bolchen dished out the assist.
- Brown posted four saves and her seventh complete game shutout of the season.
THE OPPOSITION
- Sam Schroeder recorded two saves in net for the Warriors.
- Ava Collyard totaled four shots.
- Alaena Zastrow recorded three shots, two on target.
- Morgan Bluhm posted three shots, one on target.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- For the first time since 2014 Edgewood University women's soccer will make back-to-back appearances in the NACC Tournament Semifinal.
- The NACC Tournament Quarterfinal win was the first in Jon Gulranani's tenure as head coach.
UP NEXT
- Fourth-seeded Edgewood University will travel to top-seeded Illinois Tech on Tuesday. Action is set for 7:00 p.m. from Stuart Field in Chicago, Illinois.
