WSOCSperber
3
Lakeland University LUWS (0-1)
6
Winner Lawrence University LAWWS (1-1)
Lakeland University LUWS
(0-1)
3
Final
6
Lawrence University LAWWS
(1-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Lakeland University LUWS 2 1 3
Lawrence University LAWWS 2 4 6

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Sperber scores twice but Muskies fall to Vikings in women’s soccer opener

APPLETON, Wis. – Freshman Malaya Sperber (Cedar Grove, Wis.) scored twice and added an assist in her collegiate debut for the Lakeland University women's soccer team, which hung close most of the way before falling to Lawrence University 6-3 Sunday afternoon at the Banta Bowl.

The Muskies were within a goal until late in the game, but the Vikings scored four goals in the second half to pull away from a game that was tied at the half. Lawrence improved to 1-1 overall while Lakeland lost its season opener for the first time since 2021.

Sperber twice answering Lawrence goals with scores of her own, including in the first half. The Vikings tallied just 2 minutes, 6 seconds into the match, but Sperber scored unassisted in the ninth minute to tie at 1-1.

Lawrence scored again a few minutes later, but the Muskies tied it again when Sperber made a run through the defense and her shot was deflected by goalkeeper Ella Lysne, but right to Bartlett waiting on the back post to easily chip in the rebound to knot the score at 2-2.

Lawrence held a big advantage in possession throughout the match, though, finishing with a 31-5 advantage in shot attempts, and the Vikings began to separate early in the second half. Natalie Linebarger and Izzy Robertson scored goals just over eight minutes apart, the second in the 59th minute giving the hosts a 4-2 lead.

Sperber answered one more time, with her second goal coming in at 61:41 of the match to draw the Muskies within 4-3. The score stayed that way until the 71st minute, when Madi Jones scored her first goal for Lawrence, and the Vikings added on one more goal at 76:45 by Kylie Kutschera to close the scoring.

Lawrence posted an 18-4 advantage in shots on goal. Emilie Runkel (So.-Burlington, Wis.) and Ingrid Steinbock (Fr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) combined to make 12 saves, including Steinbock with nine saves after coming on in the 12th minute.

Marlen Reyes (Sr.-Milwaukee, Wis.) registered the other shot attempt for the Muskies in the first half. Linebarger led the Vikings with two goals and four others added one goal each.

Lakeland returns to play Tuesday night when it hosts Mount Mary University at 7 p.m. in the Muskies' home opener at Taylor Field.
 
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