Strong finish sends Women's Soccer to 10th straight win

FOND DU LAC, WIS. – With the match tied at 1-1 and just under 16 minutes remaining in regulation, the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Soccer team got things rolling, scoring three times to avoid an upset bid by Marian University Wednesday night. The Falcons three goals over the final 16 minutes lifted them to their 10th straight win and also assured them of a first round bye in the NACC Tournament.

THE BASICS

- Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 4, Marian 1
- Location: Smith Field – Fond du Lac, Wis.
- Records: Concordia Wisconsin 12-1-2, 8-0-0 NACC; Marian 6-11-0, 2-6-0 NACC

HOW IT HAPPENED

- The first half saw each team score once, with the Falcons getting on the board in the 14th minute on the fourth goal of the year from freshman Nicole Ciesielczyk (Waukesha, Wis.). Ciesielczyk scored on a rebound off a shot from freshman Kayla Schlosser (Germantown, Wis.) for the 1-0 lead.

- Marian would tie the match at 1-1 in the 22nd minute on a goal from Alexis Peterson. Molly Kovarik assisted on the Peterson score.

- The second half saw no goals until the 75th minute when senior Carley Pfannerstill (Grafton, Wis.) netted the game-winning score. Pfannerstill's goal was assisted by Schlosser, as she took a pass and won a scramble in front of the net for the 2-1 lead.

- Schlosser and Pfannerstill would score 1:03 apart to put the Sabres away in the final 10 minutes of action. First, Schlosser scored in the 83rd off an assist from junior Abigail Freeland (Grafton, Wis.). Pfannerstill then recorded her second of the contest, this one being assisted by senior Emily Ciesielczyk (Waukesha, Wis.).

- The Falcons finished with a 26-7 edge in shots, including a 16-1 advantage after the break. Sophomore Tabitha Ortiz (Plainfield, Ill.) made four saves for her sixth win of the season.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

- Pfannerstill now has 15 goals and 38 points this season, both numbers matching what she finished with last season, a year in which she earned First Team All-Region honors. She now ranks second in the NACC in points and third in the conference in goals. It was also her third straight multi-goal match and sixth of the season.

- The goal allowed was just the second the Falcons have given up in conference play this season. CUW has been dominant in league matches, outscoring its opponents 33-2 in eight contests.

- Schlosser has had an impressive rookie season as she now has 10 goals and eight assists. She has recorded a point in five straight and has scored at least one goal in the past three contests.

- The Falcons are now on a 10-match winning streak as they continue to extend their program-best streak.

UP NEXT

- CUW will have a chance to wrap up at least a share of the NACC regular championship (The Falcons control their own destiny for an outright title) on Saturday at Concordia Chicago. A win would also secure the No. 1 seed in the NACC Tournament. The Falcons and Cougars are set for a 10:30 a.m. start.