KENOSHA, Wis. - The Carthage College women's soccer team defeated the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 3-2 on Wednesday evening at Art Keller Field. The Firebirds took a 1-0 lead just before halftime before Whitewater scored twice in the second half to take the lead. Carthage responded with two late goals from
Malie Cassel and
Peyton Olinski to secure the comeback victory.
Tatiana Valdez made seven saves in 59:53 minutes of action, while
Vickie Engel recorded two saves in the final 30 minutes to help preserve the win.
- Final Score: Carthage 3 - UW-Whitewater 2
- Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin - Art Keller Field
- Records: Carthage 2-0-2, UW-Whitewater 3-1-0
- UW-Whitewater created the first dangerous opportunity of the match when Genevieve Simkowski fired a shot wide in the third minute.
- Carthage goalkeeper Tatiana Valdez made her first save in the eighth minute, stopping Karina Osborn's shot from the bottom center.
- Valdez continued to keep the Warhawks off the scoreboard, making saves on Simkowski in the 13th and 23rd minutes.
- Carthage created opportunities of its own late in the opening half, with Sarah Gorder recording a pair of shots in the 27th and 34th minutes.
- The Firebirds broke through with just two seconds remaining before halftime when Ashley Gorder scored at 44:58 off a corner kick, sending the ball into the right corner of the net to give Carthage a 1-0 lead.
- UW-Whitewater responded early in the second half, with Valdez making saves on Jasmine Wilson and Osborn before Brooklynn Carlson converted a penalty kick at 58:06 to tie the match at 1-1.
- Vickie Engel entered in goal for Carthage in the 59th minute, making her first save shortly after entering on a shot from Brinley Dunsirn.
- Carthage continued to pressure the Warhawks, with Angelina Diaz forcing a save in the 53rd minute and Malie Cassel testing Whitewater goalkeeper Lauren Ripley in the 66th minute.
- Whitewater took its first lead of the night at 72:12 when Genevieve Simkowski scored off an assist from Jasmine Wilson, putting the Warhawks ahead 2-1.
- The Firebirds quickly answered, as Malie Cassel scored at 79:21 after a ball played into the box by Angelina Diaz was deflected by Ruby Hillegass, tying the match at 2-2.
- Carthage continued to push for the go-ahead goal, with Haley Linden forcing Ripley to make a save in the 79th minute and Cassel testing the Whitewater goalkeeper again in the 86th minute.
- With just over two minutes remaining, Peyton Olinski gave the Firebirds the lead for good at 87:57, scoring off a deflection for a breakaway goal to put Carthage ahead 3-2.
- Carthage held off Whitewater during the final minutes to secure the comeback victory.
- The Firebirds finished with 15 shots, including eight on goal, while the Warhawks recorded 18 shots and 11 shots on goal. Carthage goalkeeper Tatiana Valdez made seven saves, while Vickie Engel added two saves to help secure the victory.
- Ashley Gorder scored the opening goal for Carthage at 44:58, giving the Firebirds a 1-0 lead just before halftime.
- Malie Cassel recorded a goal and three shots on goal, including the game-tying goal at 79:21.
- Peyton Olinski scored the game-winning goal at 87:57, recording two shots on goal.
- Tatiana Valdez played 59:53 minutes in goal and made seven saves.
- Vickie Engel played the final 30:07 minutes and recorded two saves.
- Angelina Diaz recorded two shots and assisted on Cassel's game-tying goal.
- Ruby Hillegass recorded an assist on Cassel's goal in the 79th minute.
- Carthage finished with four corner kicks while limiting UW-Whitewater to three.
- Carthage improves to 2-0-2 on the season following Wednesday's 3-2 victory over UW-Whitewater.
- The Firebirds return to action at Hope College for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday.
