SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Winona State University women's soccer team earned a trip to the 2022 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) postseason last week with a dramatic victory over Upper Iowa on the last day of the season.  The Warriors booked their trip to the NSIC Tournament as the sixth seed and found themselves matched up with third-seeded Augustana University, facing off against the Vikings for the second time in eight days. 

In the end, the Winona State - Augustana matchup was decided in just a few minutes in the middle of the first half, as the Vikings scored in the 23rd and 27th minute of the match and added a third goal in the second half to deal the Warriors a season-ending 3-0 loss. 

Winona State played a statistically even match in terms of attacking effort against Augustana in the first half, with both teams registering seven shots apiece in the opening 45 minutes. WSU also earned the lion's share of corner kick opportunities in the opening stanza, racking up five corners compared to just one for the host side.  Winona State starting goalkeeper Chloe Swanson earned a save in the first half, while Ellie Wardell led WSU with two shots after 45 minutes of play. 

However, goals from Augustana's Sylvia Fehr and Josie Arduser sent Winona State into the locker room down 2-0. 

In the second half, Winona State continued to apply pressure to the Viking back line, earning an additional corner kick and racking up another seven shots. Unfortunately, Augustana tallied a third goal against the run of play, when Morgan Keirstead converted on an assist from Sylvia Fehr. 

Despite the growing advantage favoring the Vikings, Winona State continued to press and earned a series of chances as the game wound down, including a Sarah Strating shot that was saved off the line by a Viking defender. 

Overall, WSU finished with 14 shots in the game, putting four on frame, compared to 11 total shots for Augustana. The Warriors ended with a 6-3 corner kicks but were unable to find the back of the net in the 3-0 loss. 

Winona State concludes the 2022 Warrior campaign at 9-6-4 overall and earned a 7-4-4 in the NSIC regular season. WSU returned to the NSIC postseason for the first time since 2018, a year in which Winona State went 8-8-1 and 8-6-1 in league play.  The NSIC postseason opportunity versus the Vikings marked the 22nd NSIC Tournament appearance for the Winona State program. The Warriors hold the second-most NSIC Tournament Championships (6) of all NSIC women's soccer programs.