ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn.- The UNW Women's Soccer team improved to 2-0 in UMAC play as they defeated Crown 2-1 on Friday afternoon in a game that was filled with drama, and late game heroics.
The Eagles were playing on weary legs after competing in a hard contest on Wednesday night against Hamline, but if the Eagles were tired they did not show it. The Eagles outshot the Storm 7-3 in the first half and controlled possession throughout the opening frame.
After going back and forth to start the game, it was the reigning UMAC Offensive Player of the Week
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School) who broke the scoreless tie. The sophomore scored in the 26
th minute to give the Eagles the first lead of the afternoon.
However, Crown answered right back. Less than a minute later, an Ashley Pierce goal for the Storm tied things up 1-1. That score would hold up until halftime, and it became clear that this was going to be an evenly matched game that would come down to the wire.
The Eagles continued to hold the majority of the possession, outshooting Crown 6-2 in the second half. The game entered the late stages still tied 1-1 as the Eagles began knocking on the door. In the final ten minutes the Eagles had a breakaway shot that went wide, and a free kick shot that banged off the crossbar.
Finally, in the 86
th minute, the Eagles broke through.
Maia Ellenburg (Winona, Minn./Winona) tucked a shot into the lower right corner that would hold up as the game winner, and the Eagles won 2-1. It was Ellenburg's first goal of the season.
The Eagles would outshoot Crown 13-5 on the afternoon, five of those shots coming from
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School), and four of them coming from
Amanda Kocurek (North Branch, Minn./North Branch).
Ellie Fryer (Stewartville, Minn./Stewartville) made three saves, including one on a long shot in the final minutes to preserve the Eagle lead.
The Eagles will play their third game of the week tomorrow (Saturday, September 25
th) as they look to remain perfect in the young UMAC season. UNW will face Minnesota-Morris on the road at 4:30pm.