Waldorf falls to Nebraska Wesleyan

By: Matt Oliver

FOREST CITY – Nebraska Wesleyan University built a two-goal lead in the opening half and were aided by an own goal in the second half to hand the Waldorf University women’s soccer team a 3-1 loss on Sunday.

Angie Gallo and Kaitlyn Sullivan notched goals to lead NCAA Division III’s Prairie Wolves (1-2). Brittney Thornton scored for the Warriors (1-4).

Waldorf senior goalkeeper Charlotte Madrid recorded 10 saves while facing 13 shots. Nebraska Wesleyan’s Madi Francis stopped five of the six shots that the Warriors put on target.

It was a back-and-forth defensive matchup in the early going. The Prairie Wolves went in front as Gallo delivered an unassisted goal on a one-on-one situation during the 21st minute.

Sullivan pushed Nebraska Wesleyan to a two-goal advantage less than a minute later, connecting from 25 yards out.

Thornton helped Waldorf battle back. The senior forward from Denver notched her team-leading fifth goal of the season following an assist from sophomore Chloe Schmaltz with less than 11 minutes remaining in the first half.

The Prairie Wolves denied the Warriors down the stretch and benefitted from an own goal in the 51st minute.

Nebraska Wesleyan outshot Waldorf 25-9. Thornton accounted for three of the Warriors’ shots on goal. Senior Laura Moore, junior Chelsea Delgado and freshman Tyler Ledford also contributed shots on frame.

Waldorf goes on the road next weekend, playing two matches in Sioux City. The Warriors square off against Morningside College (1-3) on Saturday at 4 p.m.  Morningside is receiving votes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) preseason poll. Waldorf also takes on Briar Cliff University (1-2-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m.