Hirssig scores twice, Falcons ground Eagles

MEQUON, Wis. – At the outset, it appeared as though the match between Benedictine University and Concordia University Wisconsin was going to be delayed because of inclement weather in the area. Nevertheless, the Falcons went on to earn a 3-1 win over the Eagles in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference match.

Both teams braved an early on slot of rain to put on a show for the Fitting Field women's soccer faithful on Family Weekend. CUW outshot BU 14-3, including 7-1 on goal, and gave up its only goal with less than five minutes to play on a free kick.

Junior Anna Hirssig (Rochester, Minn.) entered Saturday on a roll, scoring four goals in the last three matches. She continued her success in the 15th minute, took a pass from freshman Rachel Suarez (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) outside the box and pounded it into the back of the net to give CUW a 1-0 lead.

The Falcons continued to pressure on the Eagles back line and it paid off again in the 33rd minute when Hirssig took a great touch from sophomore Carley Pfannerstill (Grafton, Wis.) and hit low spinning ball that ended up just inside the near post.

CUW had a comfortable 2-0 lead and an 11-1 shot lead at halftime.

The score remained until freshman Halie Schieffer (Belgium, Wis.) netted her first career goal in the second half to make it 3-0 in favor of CUW.

Shortly thereafter freshman goalkeeper Ariana Worthing (Saginaw, Mich.) gave way to her teammate freshman Alyssa Schmitt (Cedar Grove, Wis.) in the 62nd minute after not facing just two shots on goal in the past three matches.

NACC goal scoring leader Nikki Jhanji scored the only goal for the Eagles on a free kick in the 85th minute, putting one high to the top of the goal for her 11th of the season.

CUW begins a three-match road trip on Tuesday at Rockford University before returning home on Oct.16 vs. Marian University at 4 p.m.