Spartans Advance to IIAC Tournament Semifinals
Nov 2, 2013 | J.Crane
DUBUQUE, IOWA - The University of Dubuque Women's Soccer team advanced to the Iowa Conference Tournament Semifinals with a 3-0 victory over Simpson College. Playing possibly her last game on Oyen Field, senior Alexandra Watkins (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) had a hand in all three UD goals with a goal and two assists. The Spartans will play at Luther on Wednesday, November 5th at 7:00 pm in the IIAC Tourney Semifinals. Dubuque is 15-4-0 overall which ties a school record for wins in a season.
The Spartans took an early lead at the 7:53 mark when Kelsey Graefen (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) scored on a corner kick. Melissa Sawyer (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) sent the corner kick towards near post to Watkins. Watkins headed the ball across the goal towards the back post where Graefen was waiting to give UD a 1-0 lead.
Watkins put UD ahead 2-0 as the half wound down with her goal in the 42nd minute. Liz Frazier (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) set-up the goal with a pass through the defense that left Watkins with a one-on-one situation in the goalkeeper. Watkins goal was her 15th of the year and 45th as a Spartan. The Spartans finished the first half with a 18-2 advantage in shots while holding Simpson without a shot on goal.
Frazier and Watkins gave UD a 3-0 lead when Frazier scored at the 72:26 mark on a give-and-go for her seventh goal of the year. Frazier led the UD offense with eight shots including three shots on goal.
Goalkeeper Tiffany Duncan (Hartford, Wis./Hartford Union) picked up her 15th win and sixth shutout of the season with two saves. Duncan tied Natalie Baker's record for wins in a season from 2009. Duncan has not allowed a goal in over 379 minutes, spanning parts of five games.
The Spartans finished with a 26-6 lead in shots and 10-1 advantage in corner kicks.
UD is 10-1-0 on Oyen Field during the 2013 season. Dubuque also stretched its winning streak versus Simpson to six games with a combined score of 21-1 in those games and five straight shutouts.
UP NEXT: The Spartans will travel to Luther College (9-8-0) for the IIAC Tournament Semifinals on November 5th. Game time is 7:00 pm in Decorah. Luther beat UD 2-0 in the regular season.
LIVE Video/Stats available at: UD Women's Soccer Video/Stats
Follow all UD Athletics action on Twitter at: @UDubuqueSports
