OSHKOSH, Wis.- The UW-Oshkosh women's soccer team faced a tough defeat on Wednesday (Oct. 9) at J .J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium, losing 4-3 in a closely contested WIAC match against UW-Whitewater.
 
The Titans (1-9-2, 0-2-0 WIAC) matched UW-Whitewater (5-5-4, 1-0-1 WIAC) in intensity, taking 20 shots compared to the Warhawks' 10. However, UW-Whitewater was more clinical, converting four of their six shots on goal into goals against Oshkosh's three of 11. The Warhawks also held a slight edge in corner kicks, 3-0, while UW-Oshkosh had eight saves to UW-Whitewater's three.
 
Nadia Epshteyn (Fr. • Cedarburg) shot five times for Oshkosh, with a goal and an assist. Anika Roush (Jr. • Byron, Ill.), Maris Heun (Jr. • Watertown, Minn.), and Jaden LeRoy (Fr. • Evansville) all shot three times. All three of Roush's shots were on goal while both Heun and LeRoy tallied two on goal. Laney Wiebel (Fr. • Oshkosh) recorded two shots, one on goal while Greta Steines (Sr. • Eau Claire), Gabby Born (Jr. • Fond du Lac), Delaney Sponholz (So. • Fond du Lac), and Lauren Janssens (Jr. • Oregon) all shot once.
 
Belle Blauert led the Warhawks with two goals, while Maya Rebic and Emily Thill each added one. Blauert opened the scoring in the 15th minute with an assist from Juliana Madonia, followed by an unassisted goal from Rebic in the 22nd minute. Thill extended the Warhawks' lead to 3-0 in the 29th minute.
 
The Titans rallied before halftime with two goals in quick succession. Heun scored the first goal for UW-Oshkosh in the 31st minute, assisted by Janssens and Epshteyn. Heun then set up Roush for the second goal in the 38th minute, cutting the deficit to 3-2 at the break.
 
In the second half, Blauert struck again for UW-Whitewater in the 64th minute, putting the Warhawks up 4-2. Epshteyn kept the Titans in the game with a goal in the 77th minute, however consistent possession on the Warhawks' half of the pitch and several late scoring opportunities were unable to find the Titans the equalizing goal.
 
Titan goalkeeper Mallory Kerhin (Fr. • De Pere) made one save in the first half before Emma Sauriol (Sr. • New Lenox, Ill.) took over in the second half, also recording one save. Defender Ryley Meenk (Fr. • Waukesha) was a standout for the Titans, playing all 90 minutes.
 
The Titans will look to bounce back as they continue WIAC play on the road this Saturday (Oct. 12) against UW-Stout at Nelson Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.