A goal by Devon Polk (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) in the 75th minute of play propelled the No. 9 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Loras College Wednesday night at Fiskum Field in Whitewater.

The victory is the Warhawks' ninth in a row this season and second in a row over the Duhawks. The two teams have battled annually since 2009 for the right to put their name on the Hawk Cup. Loras holds the lead in the Hawk Cup series 5-3, but UW-W has won the last two meetings.

Mackenzie Serbousek (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Prairie) gave the Warhawks an early 1-0 lead when she scored off of a rebound of Kaci Schonert (Racine, Wis./Horlick)'s shot in the seventh minute. Schonert was credited with the assist on the goal.

Two minutes and twenty seconds later Schonert recorded another assist, this time finding Marie Lesperance (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha South) for her fifth goal of the season and a 2-0 Warhawk lead.

Carly Pottle (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) nearly stretched the Warhawk lead to three in the 17th minute, but Loras goalkeeper Maria Siebels denied her effort.

Warhawk goalkeeper Sara Klimisch (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Indian Trail High School and Academy) was tested twice in the final ten minutes of the first half, but turned away both shots and UW-W headed to halftime with a 2-0 lead.

Gretchen Schutz and the Duhawks were not about to go away quietly. Schutz scored a goal in the 53rd minute and another in the 71st minute to tie the game, resulting in some intense final moments.

Emily Mouille (Waunakee, Wis./Waunakee) took a corner kick for the Warhawks in the 75th minute and her cross found Devon Polk (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) for her second goal of the season, and ultimately the game-winner.

Loras turned up the pressure in the final minutes, but Klimisch made three key saves to preserve the win.

Klimisch tied her season-high in saves with ten en route to earning her ninth victory of the season.

Regarding Loras in tonight's match and previous competition, Head Coach Ryan Quamme noted, "They are always tough to play. They play a style we don't see very often and it's effective. We look at Loras as one of our biggest rivals in the non-conference season."

After a tough non-conference schedule, the Warhawks, 10-1, feel well prepared for the start of Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Saturday at UW-Stout.

Coach Quamme remarked, "We are looking to start 1-0 in conference. We just went through a tough eleven game stretch with some quality opponents. Coming out of that stretch 10-1 is something to be proud of, but now we have to focus on conference play."

The match against the Blue Devils is scheduled to begin at 4 pm.

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