Racers Claim WHAC Tournament Title, Punch Ticket to NAIA Tournament

LIMA, OH - UNOH women's soccer fought through adversity in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Semifinals to host their first conference championship match since 2019. The Racers scored four goals from four different players to lift the WHAC Trophy and earn themselves an automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament next week.

The two teams played tentative early on, feeling each other out and not wanting to make a costly mistake. After 20 minutes of tight play, the Racers took control and never looked back. The first goal came in the 21st minute when Minni Laukka found Anne Sjolte in the box. Sjolte back-heeled her first touch and put the ball past the unsuspecting keeper for a 1-0 lead. Assistee turned assister in the 30th minute and Sjolte sent a perfect ball across the field and into the box to Ashley Wilson all alone. Wilson beat the keeper one-on-one putting the ball under and into the back of the net. UNOH continued to pressure for the next 15 minutes, but the 2-0 score held into the break. 

The Racers picked up where they left off and a deep foul on the left wing in the 53rd minute gave Patricia Blazquez the chance to create another opportunity. Janne Esther Frauenpreiss found the cross with her head and the slow bouncer threaded several defenders shielding the keepers view and found it's way in for a 3-0 lead. Three and half minutes later, the final punch was thrown when Ashley Wilson linked with Minni Laukka who gave the keeper no chance and finished off a 4-0 win for UNOH. 

UNOH dominated most statistical categories cracking 15 total shots with eleven on goal to just two and one for the Lawrence Tech. The Racers also racked up ten corner kicks while giving up just three.

Sophia Eisner (6-3-2) picked up her second solo clean sheet of the season but was only needed once during her 90 minutes of work.

UNOH will await their fate in the national tournament with the selection show scheduled for Monday, November 13 at 1:00 PM. You can watch the selection show live on the Play NAIA YouTube page. The First & Second Round will take place November 16-18 at host sites with the 40th Annual Women's Soccer National Championship final site slated for November 27 - December 4 at Foley Sports Tourism Championship Stadium in Foley, Alabama.