Falcons shine against Stars on Senior Day

MEQUON, Wis. – The 25 NACC match-winning streak ended on Saturday for Dominican, as the Falcons celebrated senior day with a 5-0 victory over the first-place Stars. The victory propels CUW to 14-4-0 and 10-2-0 in the NACC and secures a first-round bye in the NACC Tournament.

"I am very proud of the team," said head coach Ryan Middendorf. "We had a seriously impressive preformance by our backs today. It was also great to see four differnt players score aginst a very good defense."

The NACC's top-ranked defense struggled against the Falcons on Saturday.

Freshman Karoline Haugland (Bergen, Norway) opened the scoring as she zigged and zagged and threw the ball past three defenders and into the back of the net.

Three minutes later, freshman Kailey Lewis (Eagle, Idaho) tapped in a pass from junior Allison McElwee (Laramie, Wyo.) at the far post.

The Falcons held a 2-0 lead into halftime, where the Falcons honored the CUW senior class in Ashley Yacks (Whittier, Calif.) and Abby Blok (Oostburg, Wis.). The pair of defenders played a crucial role in the seventh shutout of the season.

In the 56^th minute, the CUW defense stood firm and kept the Stars out of the net, with a key save from junior Kaeley Sterkel (Dana Point, Calif.). The Falcons quickly flipped the field and scored off the boot of sophomore Isabel Downs (Menomonee Falls, Wis.), after Allison McElwee pulled the defense and fed Downs.

Allison McElwee fooled the Stars again in the 75^th minute, as she moved past defenders and put the Falcons up four.

Karoline Haugland but the bow on the match with her second goal of the day with five seconds remaining.

The Blue and White held a 21-14 shots advantage on Saturday. Karoline Haugland led all players with seven shots.

Kaeley Sterkel earned the shutout with eight saves in the victory. The eight saves ties her season high that she reached at La Crosse and Aurora.

The victory snaps a four match-winless streak for the Falcons against the Stars.

The Falcons still have a chance for a share of the NACC title and the top seed in the NACC Tournament, if Aurora defeats Dominican on Wednesday.

CUW closes the regular season on Tuesday at home against Elmhurst.