Pioneers fend off Gusties for second win of season

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's soccer team defeated Gustavus Adolphus College 2-1 Friday night in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. The Pioneers (2-0-0) never trailed the Gusties (1-1-0) and the win marks the first time since 2016 where the women's soccer team has won its first two contests of the season.

"We are beyond proud of this family!" said Director of Soccer Sam Koenig.

"Such grit and a grinding mentality to get a W. That is a team win and a family win. Winning is fun! We have an amazing staff, support staff and players who are willing to do whatever it takes to find a way to win and we did that tonight," said Koenig.

Senior Amber Lueder scored her first goal of the season in the 13^th minute of the game with an assist from freshman Annalise Spindle to take a 1-0 lead. Junior keeper Emma Ball spent the full 90 minutes in goal for the Pioneers and tallied 6 saves in the first half to maintain the 1-0 lead at the half.

The Gusties were fast to act in the second half and evened the game 1-1 by the 47^th minute.

Freshman Vanessa Peterson scored a college career first goal which turned out to be the game winning goal at in the 56^th minute mark.

With 34 minutes left in the game, Gustavus Adolphus fired off all seven of the remaining shots taken, with three falling in the last two minutes of play. Ball tallied two saves in the final minute as the Gusties made several attempts for overtime, but the Pioneers held on for the 2-1 victory.

Lueder had a team high three shots with two on goal.

Gustavus Adolphus rattled off 22 shots to comand the advantage over UW-Platteville's 10 shots on the night. Ball recorded eight saves while Leah Pavish of Gustavus Adolphus tallied three.

UW-Platteville will take a break until they hit the road for their first road game of the season on Wednesday, Sept. 8. The night will be a Pioneers vs. Pioneers battle at Carrol University with game time set for 4:30 p.m.