Box Score Box Score
Records
Upper Iowa (9-3, 7-2 NSIC) || Sioux Falls (1-10-1, 1-7-1 NSIC)
Recap
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –
Kali Loescher has been red-hot for the Upper Iowa Women's Soccer team this weekend. Although her strong play wasn't rewarded with a goal yesterday, the junior forward found the back of the net twice on Sunday to help her team earn a 5-1 victory on the road against the University of Sioux Falls.
Despite just a one-goal lead at halftime, the Peacocks used an impressive second-half offensive explosion to earn the victory in South Dakota and boost their record to 9-3 overall this season and 7-2 in the NSIC.
Loescher was the first Peacock to find the back of the net on Sunday as she curved a corner kick into the net in the 30th minute of action in the first half. It was Loescher's third goal of the season with all three of them coming against NSIC opponents.
UIU would hold onto that 1-0 lead until halftime despite outshooting their hosts, 10-3 in the first 45 minutes.
After the break, the Cougars responded with a goal of their own to tie the game at a goal apiece. Tia Ferrando earned the USF goal – the only score given up by Peacock goalkeeper
Amanda Smith, who was making her first start of the season. In all, Smith allowed just one goal on five shots and earned the win on the day.
With the game tied, the Peacocks turned to the Wronski sisters.
Corinne Wronski found
Aimee Wronski from fifteen yards out and the youngest Wronski sister netted her 11th goal of the season after dodging a few Cougar defenders.
Wronski's goal came in the 56th minute, but UIU wouldn't have to wait a long time for another. Less than ten minutes later the sisters hooked up for another score, but this time it was Aimee who found Corinne. The duo gave UIU a 3-1 lead, but the Peacocks weren't quite done.
In the 72nd minute,
Lauren Sharp found Loescher off a deflected pass and again, the Crystal Lake, Illinois native found the back of the net. Loescher, who was an All-NSIC Honorable Mention last season after scoring seven goals as a true sophomore, now has four scores through 11 games this year.
Madie Edwards added one final insurance goal to seal a 5-1 Peacock victory and send UIU back home with a weekend split.
Stat of the Game
The Peacocks scored one goal off ten shots in the first half, yet scored four goals off nine shots in the final period. UIU also had 14 corner kicks in the game compared to just 1 for USF.
UIU Standouts
Kali Loescher (2 goals), Aimee Wronski (1 goal, 1 assist), Corinne Wronski (1 goal, 1 assist), Madie Edwards (1 goal) and Lauren Sharp (1 assist).
Sounding Off
Head Coach Brian Diaz After the Game:
On the Win… "It was a good win and a good performance from our team. We really controlled the first half of the match but we just weren't able to reward ourselves with any goals. Offensively, we did a much better job converting our corner kicks – that's how we got our first goal. After halftime, I was a little disappointed about the goal we allowed. They put some pressure on us and I thought we gave up a soft goal. I liked how we responded to that though. We got the go-ahead goal then took the match to another level – that allowed us to walk away with a comfortable win."
On Forward Kali Loescher… "Kali Loescher had herself one of the better weekends she has had all year. She really deserved those two goals she scored today. All weekend long, she had intelligent runs, she was good on the ball and she was a great finisher today. She earned everything she got this weekend."
On Goalkeeper Amanda Smith… "She played very well and she did a good job controlling things in goal. She kept things simple and we were pleased with her performance."
Any Improvements Needed… "I thought our speed of play in the second half of today's game was impressive. We were really able to attack their defense with some pace and ferocity. That's something we will need to continue to do for the remainder of the season. Also, we only gave up two goals this weekend – which is good, but we would still like to tighten that up. We just need to continue to refine our game and keep getting better."
Up Next
The Peacocks will return to Fayette to host the Golden Eagles of Minnesota Crookston on Friday, October 18th on Pattison Field. That game will kick off at 3 p.m. UIU will then play host to the Beavers of Bemidji State on Sunday, October 20th
