Falcons Feast at Aurora in NACC Opener

AURORA, Ill. – The CUW women's soccer team opened NACC play on the right foot on Wednesday evening. The Falcons feasted upon Aurora with an 8-0 victory. The Blue and White improve to 2-1-0 on the season. The victory is the first victory for the Falcons at Aurora in program history.

"It's a pleasure to coach such a great group of players who demonstrate resolve and strong character through adversity," said head coach Ryan Middendorf. "I couldn't be more impressed by how focused and determined this team was from the very beginning of the match.  It was outstanding to get two early goals which really set the tone for the entire match."

Senior Isabel Downs (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) scored the first goal of the game in the sixth minute from 15 yards out off a cross from sophomore Sabrina Moore (Park Ridge, Ill.).

Junior Karoline Haugland (Bergen, Norway) scored two minutes later.

In the 13^th minute, Carmen Rowe put away the ball off a corner from junior Jordan Lafferty (Surprise, Ariz.).

Junior Selena Esten (Cedarburg, Wis.) scored eight seconds later off an Aurora turnover and rebound.

Jordan Lafferty added to the lead with a penalty kick in the 15^th minute.

Karoline Haugland launched a shot over the Aurora keeper from 25 yards out to push the lead to six goals.

Selena Esten closed the first-half scoring on a laser to the far right corner off a corner from Jordan Lafferty.

Sophomore Madelaine Specht (Sheboygan, Wis.) blasted a shot from 18 yards out to score the lone goal of the second half.

The eight goals are the most for the Falcons since a 10-1 victory over Edgewood in the NACC North Division Semifinals in April.

CUW returns to action on Saturday at Benedictine.