The Upper Iowa women's soccer team snapped its three-match losing streak on Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over the Wayne State Wildcats. Despite the visitors striking first, the Peacocks answered with a goal of their own to tie the match going into the strategy session. It was an unlikely corner kick-turned-goal that propelled UIU in the second half, as the home team pulled out a hard-fought, one-goal victory in Fayette. With the win, the Peacocks improve to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in the NSIC, while the loss drops the Wildcats to 4-2-2 overall and 1-2-2 in league play. Upper Iowa continues to play well against Wayne State, owning a 9-1-3 record all-time against WSC.

In a back and forth first half, it was the visitors who got on the board first. In the ninth minute, Sophie Ketchmark sent a corner kick to the box, where teammate Natalie Rech was able to collect it and score her third goal of the season to put the Wildcats up 1-0. Upper Iowa had a couple of chances, but could not convert, including a Christiana Atteberry miss wide. But, in the 35th minute, Atteberry got another opportunity, and she would not disapapoint. The Sacramento, Calif. native took the ball down the sideline and converted her first goal of the year to tie the match. The Peacocks earned two more corners before time expired in the first half, but were unable to convert, and the score remained tied at halftime.

Upper Iowa held a slight advantage, 8-7, in shot attempts in the first half, and it was nearly identical in the second frame. UIU led 7-6 in shots in the final period, including a very unlikely shot that worked out for the home team. In the 55th minute, junior Brittany Beckman was faced with a corner kick, and her tragectory was perfect. The Princeton, Minn. native hooked the corner passed her teammates and WSC goalkeeper Kylie Comba to score to give the Peacocks the 2-1 lead. Upper Iowa would not give the lead back. The Wildcats registered four more shot attempts after the UIU score, but the backline and goalkeeper Caila Petrie preserved the victory for the Peacocks.

UIU held the lead in shot attempts (15-13), while the teams each placed six shots on goal. Petrie earned the win in net, registering five saves, improving to 3-4 in goal this season. Comba takes the loss for Wayne State, despite registering four saves in net on the afternoon. UIU also held a slight 5-4 advantage in corner kicks in a game that was close from start-to-finish.

The Peacocks will hit the road next weekend up in Minnesota as they will take on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on Friday night at 7 p.m. On Sunday, Upper Iowa will head down to St. Cloud, Minn. to square off with the Huskies of St. Cloud State University. Kickoff is schedule for 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon.