MEQUON, Wis. – Emily Ciesielczyk netted a season-best two goals in leading the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Soccer team to a 4-0 Senior Day victory over Concordia University Chicago at Fitting Field. The Falcons moved closer to locking up a bye in the opening round of the upcoming six-team Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament with the shutout win.
CUW will need to win its final regular season contest, a matchup against Wisconsin Lutheran on Tuesday. With a win, the Falcons would move even with Edgewood College for the No. 2 seed, but CUW would hold the tiebreaker via its 3-2 win Wednesday night over the Eagles.
While it was Senior Day at Fitting Field, it was the junior class who provided the scoring punch for the Falcons Saturday. Ciesielczyk (Waukesha, Wis.) netted her first two-goal contest of the season, including recording the game-winner in the 38th minute of the opening half. She took a pass from fellow junior Carley Pfannerstill, who finished with a goal and an assist in the matchup, to make the score 1-0. Freshman Sarah Gamoke (Plymouth, Wis.) added her first career goal for CUW.
The senior duo of Anna Hirssig (Rochester, Minn.) and Ashley Apazeller (Jackson, Wis.) were celebrated beforehand for excellent careers in Falcons uniforms. It was fitting that CUW pitched a shutout on Saturday, considering the importance both have played in that area of the game, Hirssig a midfielder and Apazeller one of the best defenders in the NACC.
Freshman Tabitha Ortiz (Plainfield, Ill.) didn't see much action as the Falcons keeper, but did stop the only Cougars shot on goal in recording her fifth shutout of the season. Three of those five shutouts have come in conference play. CUC starting keeper Callie Hasslebring was plenty busier, stopping six shots as the Falcons held a 21-2 edge in shots during the match. Ally Krajnak played the final 13 minutes at keeper for CUC.
After Ciesielczyk made the score 1-0 at the break, the Falcons got more offensive in the second half, scoring three times. Pfannerstill (Grafton, Wis.) posted her 14th goal of the season just 4:51 into the second half, scoring unassisted from 18 yards out. Ciesielczyk then made the score 3-0 off an assist from junior Brittany Klumpp (Rubicon, Wis.). With the Falcons up 3-0, it was Gamoke's turn to get on the scoreboard as placed it perfectly from 25 yards to give CUW a 4-0 lead.
The loss for CUC dropped them out of the NACC Tournament picture as the six teams have been decided. Aurora is a lock for the top seed, while the No. 2 spot is still between CUW and Edgewood. Also in the six-team field is Dominican, Marian and MSOE.
CUW will look to secure the No. 2 spot Tuesday when it hosts Wisconsin Lutheran College. The Falcons and Warriors are set for a 3:30 p.m. start at Fitting Field.
