BOXSCORE
Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton College (Ill.) women's soccer team defeated UW-Stevens Point 4-0 on Friday night in the Sectional Semifinal of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. With the win, the Thunder has advanced to the Sectional Final on Saturday night at 6 PM. Wheaton will face University of Puget Sound for the right to compete in the Division III National Semifinal next Friday at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Wheaton, the defending NCAA Division III Champion improves to 24-0 on the year, with its 42nd consecutive victory. UW-Stevens Point ends the season with a record of 16-5-2.
Wheaton head coach Pete Felske said of his team's effort in the match, “We came out and played well tonight.” He added, “I liked the energy that we came out with and I really like the fact that we scored right away.”
Wheaton freshman Brittany Bergh (PICTURED RIGHT) gave the hosts a 1-0 lead with her ninth goal of the year 25:17 into the match. Bergh one-touched a cross from senior Bethany Barton into the upper right corner of the net. Wheaton's lead increased to 2-0 at the 33:57 mark of the match when Libby Passiales scored her 10th goal of the year. A Kari Klynstra cross found Passiales in front of the net and Passiales blasted the ball in for the goal. Wheaton remained a 2-0 leader at halftime.
A little more than one minute into the second half, Wheaton's lead increased to 3-0 off of a Sarah Richardson goal. Wheaton put forward a strong attack against the Pointers' defense and a Passiales assist found Richardson who put the ball in for the 19th time this year. The final score of 4-0 was the result of a Jami Herrmann goal. The Wheaton attack was speared by a Passiales assist to Richardson who crossed the ball to Herrmann for the score.
Wheaton attacked the Pointers throughout the match as the Thunder out-shot the guests 22-4. Wheaton held a 6-1 edge in corner kicks. Thunder goalkeeper Kristin Eggert made one save in 78 minutes of action in the net. Junior Justine Morey played the final 12 minutes in net for Wheaton. UW-Stevens Point goalkeeper Meredith Decaluwe made seven saves and allowed four goals in 90 minutes of work.
