Pioneers top Viterbo in final minutes

LA CROSSE, Wis. - The UW-Platteville women's soccer team won 4-3 Wednesday afternoon in a thrilling game against the Viterbo V-Hawks at the Viterbo Outdoor Athletics Complex.  

The Pioneers shut out Viterbo in the second half and recorded 12 shots with six on goal for the day.

Viterbo kicked the day off strong with a goal in the third minute followed not long after by another goal to take an early two-goal lead.

UW-Platteville's Taylor Martin passed to Caelyn Steffens from the left sideline and Steffens found the lower left corner to put the Pioneers on the board and narrow the V-Hawks lead to 2-1.

Martin then shot and tied the game 2-2 five minutes later when she scored off a loose ball from a corner kick. Viterbo managed to take the lead once again in the 27th minute.

After the half, Amber Lueder tied the game 3-3 with an assist by Brianna Hampton.  

The intensity grew as the end of regulation drew near.  Viterbo took four shots in the final eight minutes of play until with  two minutes left, a Viterbo foul set UW-Platteville's Steffens up for a penalty kick.  The shot was successful and the Pioneers took the lead 4-3 and the win.

The day saw a total of 22 fouls with 16 being called in the second half with no cards issued.

Caelyn Steffen's two goals on the day sets a new school record for most goals in a season with 19 goals.

The Pioneers improve to 6-5 overall.  UW-Platteville will return to WIAC action Saturday, Oct. 6 when they host UW-Eau Claire at 7 p.m. on #SetTheExpectation night in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.