MANKATO, Minn.- It was a thrilling night in Mankato on Wednesday as the UNW Women's Soccer team traveled to square off with Bethany Lutheran in a game that carried major seeding implications for next week's UMAC Postseason Tournament.
Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wisc./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) had a big night (about as big of a night as a person could possibly have) as she completed a hat trick, scored the game winning goal with under 10 minutes remaining, and broke the school record for goals in a season which had held for 13 years. The Eagles won the game 3-2.
Mersberger's big night started almost immediately as the Eagles appeared ready to play in this vital, late season matchup. The freshman scored in the 7
th minute to give UNW an early 1-0 lead on the road. This was Mersberger's 21
st goal of the season.
Megan Kohrt (Monona, Wis./Homeschool) was credited with the assist which was her 4
th of the season.
The freshman frenzy continued in the 31
st minute when Mersberger scored her second goal of the night and her 22
nd of the season to give her squad a 2-0 lead. This goal tied Mersberger for the most goals scored in a season by a UNW Women's Soccer player. Mersberger tied the record set 13 years ago, in the 2009 season, by UNW Soccer legend Rebekah Kirby. This time, it was
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School) who provided the pass that set up Mersberger, as she picked up her 4
th assist of the season.
The Eagles took their 2-0 lead into halftime, and it appeared as if the Eagles were in control and well on their way to an important conference victory late in the season. However, the Vikings, playing on their home field, said not so fast. In a whirlwind that only last 13 minutes of game time, Bethany Lutheran had tied the game. The Vikings scored in the 50
th and 63
rd minutes to knot the game up at two goals apiece. The game remained tied until the late stages of the contest.
In the 83
rd minute, the legend of
Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wisc./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) grew even more than it already had (if that was possible). The freshman who has burst onto the scene this season, has the school record for goals scored in a game, leads the team and conference in goals, and had already scored two goals in the contest delivered one final blow. Mersberger completed the hat trick, set the school record for goals scored in a season, and gave the Eagles a critical 3-2 victory over Bethany Lutheran with a single goal. The victory moved UNW into sole possession of second place in the conference with only one regular season game remaining. If the standings remain the way they are until the end of the week, the Eagles will host Bethany Lutheran in the UMAC semifinal next week.
Reagan Flaschberger (Shoreview, Minn./Centennial) was good in net for the Eagles finishing the contest with five saves.
Haley Mersberger (Kiel, Wisc./Elkhart Lake Glenbeulah) led the Eagles with nine shots in the game while
Megan Moeller (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Christian School),
Mya Chan (Brandon, S.D./Homeschool), and
Megan Kohrt (Monona, Wis./Homeschool) all fired two shots.
Meghan Corbett (Sartell, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral) also registered a shot.
The Eagles, who have already clinched a spot in the UMAC Postseason tournament next week, will finish the regular season on Saturday, October 29
th on the road against Martin Luther.
