Upper Iowa's women's soccer team defeated Minnesota Duluth, 3-0, for their second straight victory by that score.

The Peacocks came out aggressively, scoring in the game's second minute. Corinne Wronski sent a cross into the box from the left corner, where Brianne Fenton found herself wide open and tapped the ball in from point blank range. It was Fenton's second goal in as many games.

"Anytime you can score the first goal it really sets the tone, forcing the other team to chase the game," said Head Coach Brian Diaz. "When you score that early, it certainly adds to the importance of it."

Minnesota Duluth didn't seem too phased by the quick goal, controlling the ball for the majority of the rest of the half. The Peacocks kept up the pressure and had several more opportunities, outshooting the Bulldogs 12-7, but went into the halftime break up just 1-0.

The game continued to be a mix of Duluth ball control and intermittent Peacock attacks at the beginning of the second half. But, Upper Iowa's defense and goalkeeper Kaitlyn Emanuel kept the Bulldog attacking players, including NSIC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Maureen Stormont, at bay.

"That kid is special. She is really special," said Diaz of Stormont. "We knew she would be matched up with our center backs and we knew if our center backs were focused for 90 minutes, we could hold her back. With a player like that, you know you can't stop her, you can only contain her. She's a great player and a handful, but we think our center backs are pretty good too."

As the game wore on, Minnesota Duluth pressed forward harder in an attempt to tie the game, and the Peacocks took advantage.

With 11 minutes remaining, Mackenzie Taldone sent a ball from the midfield wide to the left and over the UMD defense. Kali Loescher ran onto the ball and beat the goalkeeper on a shot from just inside the box to give Upper Iowa the 2-0 lead. It was Loescher's first goal this year and 18th in her Peacock career.

Then, with just three minutes left, the Peacocks turned a Bulldog attack into a UIU goal. Kaitlyn Emanuel made a save and quickly got the ball out wide to Aimee Wronski. Wronski then sent a through ball forward to Madie Edwards, who beat the goalkeeper in a one-on-one and passed the ball into the open net to close out the scoring.

"We found the back of the net last week and tasted that success, and we entered this game with a ton of confidence," said Diaz. "We have been playing really well up through last weekend and just hadn't found the back of the net. Finally last Sunday we did and that carried into today. Our forwards are playing with a ton of confidence and they know they can score. It's been huge."

It was the second straight shutout for the Peacocks and Emanuel, who made eight saves on the day.

"Anytime you can put together back to back shutouts is huge," said Diaz. "Our backs gain confidence with every game, Kaitlyn gains confidence with every game. We talk every day about getting better each and every day. Our team has really focused on that, not being overwhelmed with the big picture and really focusing day to day on what we have to do. It's key and we have to carry that forward."

Upper Iowa outshot the Bulldogs 23-18, including 12 shots from Aimee Wronski and four from Corinne Wronski.

The Peacocks look to make it three straight wins when they host St. Cloud State on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m.