Three second-half scores lift Women's Soccer to NACC win over Edgewood

VERONA, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Soccer team entered Wednesday night's Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup against Edgewood College knowing it needed a win for a chance at earning a bye in the upcoming league tournament. The Falcons used three second-half goals in a span of 7:32 to edge the Eagles, 3-2 at Reddan Soccer Park.

The win moves CUW to 6-2-0 in the NACC and into a tie in the loss column with the Eagles in the league standings. The Falcons now hold a potential tiebreaker of Edgewood and have two NACC matches remaining on the schedule, both at home at Fitting Field.

The Falcons came from behind twice in the contest as they trailed 1-0 at halftime. After tying the score at 1-1, Edgewood regained a 2-1 lead just 39 seconds later, but CUW was able to show resilience once again, scoring the matches final two goals for the one-goal victory. All four scores in the final 45 minutes came in under an eight-minute span, providing an exciting early portion of the second half.

Junior Carley Pfannerstill, sophomore Abigail Freeland and junior Emily Ciesielczyk scored the goals for CUW, all unassisted. This came after a first half that saw CUW trail 1-0, despite holding a 10-5 edge in shots. EC keeper Tori Fortney was solid in the opening 45 minutes, making five saves to keep the Falcons off the scoreboard.

CUW kept up the offensive in the attack in the second half, outshooting the Eagles 16-4. It was Pfannerstill (Grafton, Wis.) who put the Falcons on the board, scoring in the 58th minute to tie the score at 1-1. Her unassisted score was her 13th of the season, which ranks fourth in the NACC.

Edgewood (12-4-1, 7-2-0) would quickly answer with a goal just 39 seconds later to go back ahead 2-1. Jenna Mineau recorded her 10th goal of the year for the Eagles, putting CUW back one goal for the second time. The Eagles first goal was scored with 1:39 remaining in the first half and came off the foot of Haley Gaines.

Freeland (Grafton, Wis.) struck for just her second goal of the season at the 60:50 mark of play. She was able to get a shot off from the top of the box and put one in the net on the left side to once again tie the score, this time at 2-2.

Ciesielczyk (Waukesha, Wis.) then gave the Falcons its first lead of the contest, just 4:26 after Freeland's score for her second game-winner of the year. Her other game-winning goal came in the final minute of a 2-1 win over Dominican as the junior has had some key scores for the Falcons in tight conference matches this season.

CUW was able to hold off the Eagles over the final 24 minutes to pick up the 3-2 win. Sophomore Ariana Worthing (Saginaw, Mich.) made three saves to gain her fourth win of the year. Fortney ended the match with nine saves for the Eagles.

Pfannerstill outshot Edgewood by herself as she finished with a match-best and career-high 13 shots. Ciesielczyk added six shots, while Liz Darkow paced Edgewood with four.

CUW will host Concordia Chicago Saturday at Fitting Field. The Falcons and Cougars are set for a 1 p.m. start. Saturday will also serve as Senior Day as the Falcons senior duo of Anna Hirssig and Ashley Apazeller will be honored beforehand.