WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University soccer team saved their best for last, blanking Wayne State College 3-0 in the final match of the 2023 Warrior season.
Winona State saw a first half goal by
Sarah Strating provide some momentum early on and a pair of second half goals to seal the win, with
Madelynn Drasher and
Sara Charboneau getting on the score sheet as WSU overwhelmed WSC offensively.
Key Details: Winona State 3, Wayne State 0
Attendance: 232
How it Happened
Winona State started strongly, racking up three shots on goal in the first five minutes of the match, including an effort by
Grace Seim that forced a save from WSC goalkeeper Hayden Wallace.
WSU also earned a corner kick in the early stages of the match followed by a second corner when
Sarah Strating drove a shot at the top corner that Wallace dove to parry over the crossbar at the last second.
Strating's pressure paid off minutes later when she scored on her second strike of the first half, driving a shot that was slightly deflected by a Wildcat defender and eluded WSC's Wallace. The goal by Strating gave WSU a 1-0 lead and was the second tally of the year by the sophomore from Lino Lakes, Minnesota.
Winona State continued a solid first half of possession play and attacking soccer, with both
Catheryn Hudak and
Madelynn Drasher collecting shots on goal in the later stages of the first half.
WSU would take a 1-0 lead into the locker room at the half.
Halftime: Winona State 1, Wayne State 0
WSU wasted little time getting back to their attacking ways after the break, as a
Grace Seim shot in the opening two minutes of the final 45 minutes yielded another WSU corner kick, the third of the game for the home side.
Reanne Weil nearly scored moments later, hitting a solid shot off the woodwork. Weil's work increased the intensity in the match and WSU's
Quinn Williams was shown the yellow card following a foul near the Warrior penalty area.
Wayne State's Paige Pemberton drove the ensuing freekick on goal for the Wildcats but WSU's
Anna Lundeen was equal to the task and made the save on the 20-yard set piece.
WSC would go on to earn a corner kick in the 65th minute, but a lightening fast Winona State counterattack saw the Warriors double their lead through
Madelynn Drasher. Drasher picked up an outlet pass from the WSU defense as they cleared the Wildcat corner, and Drasher dribbled 30 yards before driving a shot into the far top corner past a diving Hayden Wallace for the Warriors' second score.
Winona State would remain in control the rest of the way, limiting Wayne State to a handful of half-chances in the final 20 minutes.
As time wound down, Winona State senior
Sara Charboneau would finish off the Warrior scoring, hammering home a
Reanne Weil cross in the final five minutes of play, moving the scoreboard to 3-0 in favor of WSU.
The final 45 would conclude with Winona State owning a 14-4 shot advantage over Wayne State and a enjoying a 3-0 season-ending win for the Warriors.
Beyond the Boxscore
WSU freshman goalkeeper
Anna Lundeen ended the 2023 season unbeaten; the freshman from Sartell, Minn. backstopped WSU to two draws and win in the final three Warrior games.
Senior
Sara Charboneau scored a goal in her final career appearance for Winona State.
Winona State ended Wayne State's postseason hopes with the shutout victory. WSC needed a win in the game against WSU following Bemidji State's win over UMD earlier in the day, but WSU eliminated the Wildcats with the Warrior win.
Winona State concluded the 2023 season with a 3-7-7 overall record and 2-6-6 NSIC mark.
