MITCHELL, S.D. – For the first time since 2009, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's soccer team defeated Hastings College. DWU took down its Great Plains Athletic Conference foe on Saturday thanks to a hat-trick by Alyssa Weidler (Sioux Falls, S.D.) in the 3-2 victory at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex.
On a windy Saturday, the Tigers played with the wind at their backs in the first half. DWU reeled off six shots in the first 23 minutes of the game. Finally, in the 29th minute, Weidler threw the ball in towards the goal as the ball slipped past the goalkeeper for the first goal of the game.
The Tiger (3-0, 1-0 GPAC) offense kept the pressure on as the defense held strong throughout the remainder of the half to hold a 1-0 lead at intermission.
It didn't take long for the Tigers to double their lead. Just 10 minutes into the second half, Josephine Bardsley (Tea, S.D.) dished the ball to a streaking Weidler who broke past the Hastings defense and dribbled the ball past the goalkeeper for her second goal of the match.
However, the Broncos (2-1, 0-1 GPAC) pulled within striking distance following a goal off a strike from almost 25 yards out to make it a 2-1 score. They pulled even moments later with another long-distance shot that snuck into the goal.
One minute later, the duo of Bardsley and Weidler struck again as they combined for the third goal of the game to return the lead to DWU. The defense of the Tigers proved to be tough as they deflected five shots over the final 18 minutes to secure the 3-2 victory and stay undefeated on the season.
With the three goals, Weidler now is four goals away from breaking the career goals record in program history. Bardsley tallied two shots along with her two assists, as Hannah Bowes (Omaha, Neb.) recorded seven saves for the Tigers.
DWU hits the road to battle College of St. Mary at 11 a.m. on Saturday in Omaha, Neb.
