For the sixth time in seven years, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's soccer team has clinched the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season title. The Warhawks defeated UW-La Crosse 2-0 Saturday at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse to improve to 17-1 overall and 6-0 in the WIAC. The Eagles fall to 11-4 overall and 3-2 in league play.
 
Saturday's win also marked a pair of school records for the Warhawks. The win is UW-W's sixteenth in a row, breaking the previous record of 15 set by the 2014 team.
 
Brianna Reid (Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek) also tied the school record for points when she scored her eleventh goal of the season. Reid, already the school's all-time leading goal scorer, is now tied with Emily Gerber (2008-2011) with 133 career points.
 
In usual fashion, the Warhawks started the game quickly. UW-W recorded their first goal within the first ten minutes of the match for the fourth game in a row and eighth time this year. This time it was Devon Polk (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) that gave the Warhawks the early lead.
 
Thirty minutes later, Reid scored on a pass from Morgan Beaty (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) to tie the school record and extend the Warhawk lead to two just before the half.
 
Warhawk goalkeeper Sara Klimisch (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Indian Trail High School and Academy) was tested on several occasions in the first half, but the freshman goalkeeper was up for the test and recorded three saves.
 
The Eagles were on a mission to start the second half, firing three shots before UW-W could tally one. A shot on goal in the first two minutes was saved by substitute keeper Jennie Novak (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield Academy). Two more shots in the 60th and 62nd minutes sailed wide and the score remained 2-0.
 
Minutes later, Reid and fellow senior captain Carly Pottle (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) each had an opportunity to extend the lead to three, but UW-L goalkeeper Kennedy Brault was there on each occasion to make the save.
 
Novak stayed on her game making saves in the 73rd and 81st minutes to preserve the shutout.
 
The win not only clinches the regular season title, it also secures a first round bye in the WIAC Tournament and the right to host a semifinal game on Thursday, November 3. Should the Warhawks advance to the WIAC Tournament Championship, they will also host that.
 
Before tournament play can begin the Warhawks will finish the regular season with a match next Saturday at home against UW-Stevens Point. The match, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Fiskum Field, is also tabbed as senior day. UW-W will honor their three senior captains Carly Pottle (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East), Brianna Reid (Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek) and Carina Krausert (Delafield, Wis./Catholic Memorial).

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