Upper Iowa pushed their win streak to seven games with a 3-1 victory over the Dragons of MSU Moorhead. The seven consecutive wins bests the Peacocks six-game win streak from 2012, which saw its sixth win as a 3-2 overtime win over these Dragons.
The Peacocks came out in the game with all systems firing. UIU had the first six shots of the game, putting three on goal. On the sixth shot, senior forward
Aimee Wronski put the Peacocks on the board. Senior
Kali Loescher sent a through ball that Wronski could run on to in the Dragon penalty box and put it over the MSUM keeper for the goal. Wronski, last season's NSIC Newcomer of the Year, is hitting her stride with points in seven straight games and now five goals on the season.
UIU outshot MSU Moorhead 10-1 in the first half, but managed just the one goal.
"Offensively we were very patient in possessing and trying to break down a very organized defense from MSU Moorhead," said Head Coach
Brian Diaz. "I'm really pleased with how we resisted temptation in trying to break them down. To MSU Moorhead's credit, they were pretty organized in the back and played well, but overall we did a really good job in the attack."
The second half saw more of the same from the Peacocks. At the 66:28 mark,
Nicole Poirier put the Peacocks up 2-0. Poirier took a pass from Aimee Wronski and made few a moves to get herself some space. She took a bending shot from just outside the box that curled into the around the Dragon goalkeeper and just inside the far post for a goal.
Less than a minute later, UIU would get on the board again. The Peacocks quickly won the ball back from the Dragons and worked the ball down the field to earn a corner kick. The ball bounced around on the cross and popped out to
Lauren Sharp, who put it away and put the Peacocks up 3-0.
"We got two players on the score sheet that probably should have more goals this year but just haven't found the back of the net," said Diaz. "It was nice for Lauren Sharp and Nicole Poirier to get their first goals of the season, certainly well deserved."
The Dragons would get on the board late. With less than nine minutes left, Danielle Tharaldson tallied a goal for MSUM.
The Peacocks matched a season high with 18 shots on goal on 26 total shots. UIU also held the Dragons to just four total shots, matching their season low from Oct. 11 against Northern State.
Madie Edwards led Upper Iowa with five shots, four on net, while Aimee Wronski took four shots, all of which were on goal.
Kaitlyn Emanuel made just one save in 72-plus minutes in goal.
Caila Petrie finished off the game in net for UIU, making one save while surrendering the lone goal for the Dragons.
"Overall, I'm really pleased with the way the team played today, really excited to be going home this weekend with six points and two wins," said Diaz.
The Peacocks will look to continue their win streak next week when they host the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State on Oct. 18. The game will follow the Upper Iowa men's soccer game at Pattison Field, with an approximate starting time of 2:30 p.m.
