WSC soccer solidifes tournament bid with 2-1 win

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Wayne State used goals from Christina Stasi and Kelsey Engstrom to defeat Sioux Falls 2-1 Friday afternoon in Northern Sun Conference women’s soccer played at the WSC Soccer Pitch.

The win by the Wildcats keeps Wayne State tied for eighth in the NSIC with Northern State for the final spot in next week’s NSIC Tournament.

The Wildcats scored in the 30th minute of the first half as sophomore Christina Stasi blasted a shot past Sioux Falls goalkeeper Morgan Perkins from 20 yards out for a 1-0 lead at intermission. Wayne State increased the lead to 2-0 at the 53:36 mark when Kelsey Engstrom found the back of the net with an assist on a flip throw by Natalie Rech.

Sioux Falls made the game interesting late by scoring in the 75th minute on a Lauren LaFavre goal, but Wayne State withstood the late charge by the Cougars to come away with the victory.

Wayne State finished with a 12-5 edge in shots and 4-3 in shots on goal.  The Wildcats held a 4-0 advantage on corner kicks while Sioux Falls was called for six fouls to just two on the Wildcats.

Rech ended with a team-high three shots in the contest followed by Stasi, Sophie Ketchmark and Brooke Buzzell with two shots each. Goalkeeper Kylie Comba was credited with two saves while allowing one goal in the win.             

The Wildcats (9-5-3, 6-5-3 NSIC) close out the regular season Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. contest at Southwest Minnesota State.