Box Score

WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University Warriors defended their No. 3 ranking in the latest NCAA Central Region poll with a 2-0 decision over the visiting Northern State University Wolves Friday evening in a battle of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference soccer foes.

The loss marks the third straight for the Wolves, with all three losses coming to teams ranked in the top eight of the Central Region rankings.  NSU slipped to 5-5-4 on the season and 3-3-3 in league action, while the Warriors improved to 10-3-0 overall and 7-1-0 in NSIC play.

WSU wasted little time in putting the first goal of the day on the board, as junior Melissa Sellier found the net on an unassisted goal in the 11th minute of play.  Senior Lauren Sturdivant tacked on an insurance goal just before the half to make it a 2-0 affair, while the Warrior defense bore down to post their fifth straight shutout. 

The Wolves kept pace with the Warriors in virtually every statistical category, but in the end, it was the scoreboard category that put the Warriors in the win column.

Sophomore Liz Royce had three shots to lead the Wolves, followed by four teammates with two shots apiece.

Seillier had six of the Warriors' 14 shots on the day and three of the seven on goal.  WSU goalkeeper Anna Belpedio made five saves for her 10th win of the year.

The Wolves are off on Saturday before taking on Upper Iowa on Sunday afternoon in another key NSIC match-up.  Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. in Fayette, Iowa.