WINONA, Minn. – Sitting in a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot with just five games remaining, the Winona State Warriors opened a weekend homestand on Friday night knowing there was little room for error against a UMary team sitting ahead of them in the conference standings.
The Warriors answered the bell on their home turf of Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium by turning in their biggest victory of the season – a 2-1 triumph over the Marauders.
All three goals came in the second half of play as WSU nearly double-up the Marauder defense's season goal total entering the night of just three scores allowed.
Winona State improves to 6-8 (5-6 NSIC) while snapping UMary's three-game winning streak. The Marauders fall to 7-3-2 (5-3-2 NSIC).
The Warriors nearly got on the board right off the bat, as freshman Jaida Wiege fired a low shot in the first minute of play that was saved by the UMary goalkeeper. The first half was a gritty, grind it out affair, as much of the game was played near midfield and most of the shots were from 20 yards out.
The second half proved to be one of the best halves of soccer the Warriors have played all season, as they controlled the ball and outshot the Marauders, 5-2.
Just six minutes into the second period, Wiege streaked down the sideline and put a perfect ball across the goal to set up a Courtney Wiencek tap-in. In the 70th minute of play, senior Mariah Northrop had a free kick go off the crossbar right to the head of junior Georgette Topalis, who quickly put it in the back of the net to give the Warriors a 2-0 advantage.
The Marauders managed to get a goal back in the 82nd of play but sophomore Yanel Ortiz came up big down the stretch as she made a few key saves, including one at the buzzer, to keep the Marauders at bay and preserve the 2-1 win.
Weige and fellow rookie Ellie Wardell both led the Warriors in shots (4) while five different Warriors had a shot on goal. Wiencek's goal was her third of the year while Topalis' added to her team lead of six. Ortiz continued her stellar season with seven saves.
The Warriors look to conclude a successful homestand as they play host to the Beavers of Minot State on Sunday at 12 p.m.
