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.
The first win of the season, the first win for first-year head coach Averi Cash and her assistant Weston Joyner, and junior defenseman Ana Beckmans' first collegiate career goal.
It was a stalemate after the first half between the Cardinals and the Pioneers. Both teams got back into the rhythm of playing together and only limited each other to one shot each.
It was the energy that shifted in the second half for the Cardinals that flipped a switch. The Cardinals held onto control of the ball to start the fresh half. 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 5'9 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 Forward
The Cardinals are back in action this Saturday, Sept. 5, at Monmouth College for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff before continuing their road trip to Grinnell College on Sunday, Sept. 6, with an 11:00 a.m. start.
