The No. 24 UW-La Crosse women's soccer team closed its regular season Saturday with a 1-0 win over UW-Whitewater at Fiskum Field in Whitewater.
Whitewater held the Eagles scoreless for nearly the entire first half. Goalkeeper Lauren Ripley made five saves before the break, turning away attempts from Aubree Caya, Kate Heiderscheit and Amaya Thesing as UWL built pressure and earned early corner kicks.
The Warhawks had chances of their own, including a seventh-minute look from Karina Osborn, a shot from Anna Gunderson that forced a save in the 38th minute and an effort on frame from Brooklynn Carlson in the 40th. UWL finally broke through at 44:06, in the final minute of the half, and took the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Whitewater pushed for an equalizer after the break. Summer Nicolai saved a Jasmine Wilson shot in the 52nd minute, and Genevieve Simkowski and Aria Patel both put attempts on goal during a busy stretch for the Warhawks. Ripley later stopped a Grace Williams shot in the 72nd minute to keep the margin at one for the Eagles.
The Warhawks kept pressing late, with Rachel Cvikel, Brinley Dunsirn and Rowan Severson all getting shots away and a final corner kick at 89:25, but UWL closed out the shutout.
UWL finishes the regular season 18-1-0 overall and 6-1-0 in the WIAC. Whitewater falls to 13-4-3 and 3-2-2 in league play, and enters the WIAC Tournament as the third seed, hosting UW-Oshkosh on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
