ARDEN HILLS, MN — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (13-3-3, 3-1-2) women's soccer team shut-out Bethel University (5-8-2, 4-4-2) on their way to a 2-0 victory on Sunday afternoon. UWW scored once in each half, in their second game of back-to-back days.
With her third shut out of the week, freshman keeper
Lauren Ripley (Brookfield, Wis./East) boasted her 11th solo shut-out of the season, breaking the Warhawk single season record of 10, most recently accomplished by Sara Klimisch in 2016.
The first half was scoreless until UWW broke through in the 34th minute when
Aria Patel (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) scored her first goal of the season with a header off a corner kick from
Lilli Rick (Janesville, Wis./Janesville Craig).
After taking the lead, the Warhawks continued to create chances, with
Chloe Bolla (Rogers, Minn./Rogers) and
Brooklynn Carlson (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) forcing saves and
Makenzie Toms (Dixon, Ill./Dixon),
Emily Taylor (Fond du Lac, Wis./St. Mary's Springs) and
Rowan Severson (Mount Horeb, Wis./Mount Horeb) adding attempts before halftime. The Royals earned two late corner kicks, but UWW carried the 1-0 lead into the break. Ripley made two saves in the first half to keep the Warhawks ahead.
After the break, the Royals tried to build the pressure, but Ripley saved two more shots & the Warhawk defense detered multiple corner kick sets.
Ryan Kadlec (Lakemoor, Ill./Grant Community) found the back of the net on a bouncing shot from the top of the 18-yard box. Kadlec's first goal of the season gave UW-Whitewater some insurance as
Brinley Dunsirn (Appleton, Wis./North) recorded the the assist on the goal.
Ripley made her fifth save of the games in the 70th minute to secure the victory for the Warhawks & add her name to the record books.
The Warhawks return back to Fiskum Field for the regular season finale, taking on #15 UW-La Crosse in a conference match-up. Kick-off is set for 5 PM on Saturday, October 31st in Whitewater.
