An Amazing Season Comes to an End

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Falcons soared to new heights in the 2022 season. The birds finished the season tied for the most wins in a season. The journey ended for the Blue and White at 17-4-2 with a 5-2 defeat to Illinois Wesleyan in the NCAA Tournament First Round.

The Titans threw the first punch on Friday with a goal in the second minute.

The Falcons showed great resolve and senior Selena Esten (Cedarburg, Wis.) leveled the match 68 seconds later when she rolled the ball past the keeper off an assist to freshman Autumn Snow (Cedarburg, Wis.).

The CUW goal was the first NCAA Tournament goal in program history.

The Green and White scored the following three goals to close the first half, including a dagger with a goal in the final seconds before halftime. IWU pushed the lead to four in the 67^th minute.

The Falcons showed no quit on Friday and a goal from junior Sabrina Moore (Park Ridge, Ill.) blasted the ball in the net to put a dent into the deficit with senior Karoline Haugland (Bergen, Norway) and sophomore Isabella Rapp (Grafton, Wis.).

The Titans held a 23-17 advantage in shots in the victory and advanced to the second round to play Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Sophomore Brooke Braga (Belgium, Wis.) collected 10 saves on Friday. She finished the season with five 10-plus save performances.

Selena Esten led the match with six shots, including four on the frame.

The graduating senior class helped take this class to new heights. The class of Isabel Downs, Selena Esten, Abigale Fruend, Karoline Haugland, Katie Lacerda, Jordan Lafferty, Juliana VanBoxtel and Grace Wilshire did nothing but excel during their time with the Blue and White.

"I can't say enough great things about this senior class," said head coach Ryan Middendorf. "They have been such a joy to coach and have been tremendous teammates to this group.  They have built upon our program's foundation and have raised the standards of success and expectations.  Their legacy is interwoven in this program forever in the way they carried themselves and uplifted others around them.  I'm excited about their futures, and next steps, and am grateful they are forever part of our program."

The senior class won 67 matches in their time and never had a losing season. These seniors also broke the school record with 17 victories in a season twice, claimed back-to-back NACC Regular Season titles and won two NACC Tournament titles that earned them two bids in the NCAA Division III Tournament.