Wartburg struck early in the contest, but a pair of second half goals from UWO forwards Katelyn Fladten and AJ Jackson secured a 2-1 victory for the Titans on Sunday.
The Wartburg Knights (4-2-1) found themselves with an early lead when forward Alyssa Hewitt capitalized on a 15-yard shot to put the Knights up 1-0.
Hewitt’s goal came in the 31st minute of the first half off an assist from senior Madison Astgen.
The Titans tallied eight shots in the first half, but were held scoreless at halftime, head coach Erin Coppernoll said.
“We did not do well in the final third with the final pass,” Coppernoll said. “For me, that was the key in the first half; we did not put it away when we had chances.”
Coppernoll noted how her team showed defensive struggles through the first half, but managed to figure it out in the second half.
“It was unfortunate that we go into a halftime down one because we did not defend well,” Coppernoll said. “We gave up one quick goal, but I knew we were going to get chances.”
UWO’s defense, led by junior center backs Ally Vandenberg and Felicia Retrum, was key in holding Wartburg to only four shots the entire second half.
In their first seven games, the UWO women’s soccer team has a goal against average of 1.12 goals per game.
It took the Titans 11 minutes and 32 seconds in the second half to find the back of the net. Forward Alyssa Arnold played a cross that found teammate Fladten’s chest.
According to Fladten, she controlled the service with ease and sent a volley from 12 yards out to beat the Knights’ goalkeeper.
“I’m trying to capitalize on the opportunities given to me,” Fladten said.
This was Fladten’s first goal of her junior season for the Titans, and Arnold’s first assist of the season.
Jackson, an Oshkosh native and freshman, was the spark the Titans needed to edge pass the Knights. She came into the game as a sub in the 68th minute for teammate Fladten.
“I don’t mind [coming off the bench],” Jackson said. “It’s my freshman year and I was not expecting to play at all, but I’m excited to get to play.”
Jackson made a quick impact for the Titans. It took her six minutes to help give the Titans a 2-1 advantage late in the second half.
Senior Robyn Elliott was credited the assist on Jackson’s game-winning goal. This was Elliott’s second assist of the season.
“It was great, but I did not really expect it,” Jackson said about her game-winning goal. “I was kind of stunned.”
The freshman forward also added how she credits the “rainy day drill” her team does in practice for her goal.
“It’s basically the exact same thing [because] the forward starting on the outside has the option to lay it off or shoot,” Jackson said. “I love it in practice so it was pretty easy.”
Jackson is no stranger to netting game-winning goals, as it is her second of the year. Her previous game-winning goal came earlier in the season when UWO defeated the University of Dubuque 1-0 on Sept. 3.
Coppernoll praises the freshman for her efforts on the pitch on Sunday.
“AJ is super quick, super dynamic, and probably our most dangerous offensive player because she just goes to goal,” Coppernoll said. “She got it done for us and gave us great minutes off the bench [on Sunday].”
The women’s soccer team lost 1-0 on Thursday, Sept. 15 to St. Norbert College.
This was the first time UWO has lost to St. Norbert since 2002, when the Green Knights edged the Titans 2-1.
It was an offensive struggle for the visiting Titans on Thursday. St. Norbert’s goalkeeper, Maddie Plinska, saved four of the seven shots she faced in the first half of action.
Coppernoll noted the Titans were struggling to perform well against St. Norbert College.
“We did not perform well at all,” Coppernoll said. “We did not play Oshkosh soccer. We struggled.”
After a 0-0 stalemate at halftime, the Green Knights came out the halftime break with an offensive attack.
St. Norbert College (4-1-0) scored in the 58th minute of the second half to give them a 1-0 lead against UWO.
Junior midfield, Amiee Conley, crossed the ball to Monica Stephans where she connected with a header to give the Green Knights an advantage. This proved to be the game-winning goal as the match ended 1-0.
The Titans were outshot 10-4 in the second half of the game.
Coppernoll said St. Norbert scored a brilliant goal, but the Titans have to finish their chances.
“It just was not our game,” Coppernoll said. “I am forgetting about it and moving on”
UWO will take on the Loras College Duhawks (Iowa) on Thursday, Sept. 22. at 7 p.m. in Dubuque, Iowa.
“We are going to have to be ready to play a very good team [on Thursday],” Coppernoll said.
“