PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The 2026 women's soccer debut was a memorable night. Not only did the Cardinals secure a 1-0 victory over the UW-Platteville Pioneers Tuesday night, but it was also a night of firsts.
It was the first win of the season, the first win for first-year head coach Averi Cash and her assistant Weston Joyner, and junior defender Ana Beckman's first collegiate career goal.
It was a stalemate after the first half between the Cardinals and the Pioneers. Both teams were getting back into the rhythm of playing together and limited each other to one shot apiece.
The energy shifted in the second half for the Cardinals. They controlled possession to start the fresh half, and at the 32-minute mark, everything changed.
After a foul on the Pioneers set up a free-kick opportunity outside of the 18-yard box, the Cardinals' set-piece practice paid off. Hannah Bradley served in the perfect ball across the goalkeeper, where her 5-foot-9 teammate Beckman placed the perfect header into the back of the net to secure the 1-0 lead.
Ultimately, that goal proved to be the game-winner as the Cardinals hunkered down and kept the Pioneers out of their net.
In goal, the Cardinals had another first, with freshman goalkeeper Kelsy Siercks recording her first start, win and shutout of her young career.
Looking ahead
The Cardinals are back in action this Saturday, Sept. 5, at Monmouth College for a 1 p.m. kickoff before continuing their road trip to Grinnell College on Sunday, Sept. 6, with an 11 a.m. start.
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Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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