WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University women's soccer team celebrated Senior Day in style Sunday afternoon, earning its first victory of the season with a convincing 3-0 shutout over Marian University at Schneider Stadium. The Pioneers improved to 1-1-4 on the year while extending their unbeaten streak to three matches.
After a scoreless opening half, Carroll found another gear after the intermission. Though the Pioneers managed just one shot in the first 45 minutes, they took control of the match in the second half, outshooting the Sabres 10-2 and eventually breaking through in the 50th minute.
The breakthrough came at the 49:47 mark when Harlie Seuser found the back of the net for her first goal of the season. Carmella Nowak set up the play with a well-placed assist off a corner, giving Carroll the 1-0 advantage and sparking the Pioneers' offensive surge.
Less than nine minutes later, Nowak added a goal of her own. After an initial save by Marian goalkeeper Cristal Muniz, the rebound found Nowak, who buried her first goal of the season to double the Carroll lead to 2-0 in the 59th minute.
The Pioneers continued to pressure the Marian defense throughout the half and put the finishing touches on the victory with just over a minute remaining. Senior Day was capped off in fitting fashion when Ava Noe scored her first collegiate goal in the 89th minute off an assist from Leonora Loos, sending the home crowd into celebration and providing the final 3-0 margin.
Carroll finished the afternoon with an 11-5 advantage in shots and placed eight attempts on target. Madison Milhaupt generated several quality chances off the bench, recording two shots on goal, while Seuser, Nowak, Noe, Ellie Pierson, Leah Hansen, and Kiara Andrewin each registered a shot on frame. The Pioneers also held a 5-0 edge in corner kicks and controlled 58 percent of possession.
In goal, Ava Lewandowski earned the win after making two saves over 76:42 of shutout soccer before giving way to Payton Brose, who stopped the lone shot she faced to complete the clean sheet. The shutout was Carroll's second of the season and a fitting result on an afternoon dedicated to the program's senior class.
The Pioneers will look to build on the momentum from Sunday's breakthrough victory as they continue conference play later this week when they host Loras in another nonconference matchup on Wednesday at 7pm.
