Box Score Records
Upper Iowa (10-3, 8-2 NSIC) || Minnesota Crookston (3-8-2, 1-7-2 NSIC)
Recap
The Upper Iowa Women's Soccer team has flourished in the second half of matches this year. Coming into Friday's matchup with Minnesota Crookston, the Peacocks had outscored their opponents 17-7 in the second half of games in 2013 and that stat remained true against the Golden Eagles.
The Peacocks scored three unanswered goals – two of which came after halftime – against the Golden Eagles' defense en route to a 3-1 conference victory at home. The win bumps UIU's record up to 10-3 this year and 8-2 in the NSIC.
The Peacocks have also protected their home turf this season. With the win over UMC, UIU improves to 4-0 against NSIC teams this year on Pattison Field.
That didn't stop UMC from scoring first though.
The Golden Eagles made sure the visitor side of the new scoreboard at Pattison Field worked as Nikki Hammond sent a cross in front of the Peacock net. The ball ricocheted off a Peacock defender and rolled into the net giving UMC an early 1-0 lead.
The Peacocks responded just before halftime thanks to
Lauren Rohrmeier's first goal of the season.
Aimee Wronski took one of the Peacocks' eight corners in the game in the 40th minute of action. Her cross from the far corner bounced off
Kelsey Taldone's head before Rohrmeier redirected it and found the back of the net.
Rohrmeier's goal ensured an even, 1-1, game at the half, but it also gave the Peacocks some momentum.
UIU rode that wave for thirty minutes to start the second half, but struggled to find the net. In the 76th minute, that changed.
Madie Edwards sent a perfect through-ball up field for Wronski to collect. While still battling with a UMC defender, Wronski juked the goalkeeper and scored with her left foot, with the defender still hanging on her shoulder. The go-ahead goal was Wronski's 12th of the 2013 season, which ties a Division II school record at UIU.
The Peacocks followed that up with an insurance goal in the 83rd minute from Edwards.
Nicole Poirier earned the assist as she lobbed a pass inside the goalkeeper box and Edwards got a foot on it before it touched the net. For Edwards, it was her sixth goal of the season - she had two scores last year as a true freshman.
The rest was left up to the Peacock defense, which was solid after the early mistake.
Kaitlyn Emanuel made two saves for UIU in goal, while UMC keeper Lexie Gauger had four total.
UIU Standouts
Edwards (1 goal, 1 assist), Wronski (1 goal, 1 assist), Rohrmeier (1 goal), Taldone (1 assist), Poirier (1 assist).
Stat of the Game
Aimee Wronski's goal on Friday afternoon gives her 12 for the season, which ties a three-year old high mark for the Peacocks in NSIC play held by Elizabeth Kaluzinski who netted 12 goals during the 2010 season.
Sounding Off
Head Coach Brian Diaz After the Game...
On the Win… "It was a little scary at first because of the goal they got – that was unfortunate that it bounced off our player like that and rolled into the goal. Besides that though, I thought our defense played pretty well – that's the nature of an own-goal, there's not a lot you can do about it. Overall, I thought we stuck to the game plan and we were patient in what we were doing. I think that really paid dividends in the end."
On Earning Eight Corner Kicks… "I thought we played really well offensively to get those opportunities – not that you play to get corners, but it was nice to see how dangerous we were with those. We actually scored two goals off corners today, but the first was called back due to a foul in the box. Overall, I felt like we executed those pretty well."
On Aimee's 12 Goals This Season… "She's a goal-scorer –that's what she does. She just needs a little bit of space to make that happen. Her goal came on a great pass from Madie and all year, I think the team has done a great job supplying her with opportunities and she's done a great job finishing those chances. She's a fun player to watch – she's very electric and I am proud of her and this team."
On Madie Edwards' and Lauren Rohrmeier's Performances… "Those two players really stepped up today. We've put a lot of demands on Rohrmeier lately and I thought she showed up today and played fantastic. I thought everyone that played up top did a great job."
On Playing Bemidji State Next… "We want to come out and have a solid performance on Sunday. We need to do that – they're a good, quality team. They're sitting right below us in the standings so Sunday should be another close match in the Northern Sun Conference – just like the rest of them."
Up Next
The Peacocks will now prepare for their matchup with Bemidji State on Pattison Field this Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. Click here to read the preview for that game.
