UW-Platteville stormed the field to defeat Waldorf College 8-0 at Pioneer Stadium on Sept. 21.

Photograph by Anthony Bauer
Freshman Alysa Strasser heads the ball away from the Warriors. The Pioneers improved to a 4-3-2 overall record.

The Pioneers have managed some great feats already this season. UW-P beat UW-La Crosse 1-0, after going 0-18 against the Eagles in previous games, on Sept. 16. Following the impressive victory, UW-P went on to tie UW-Oshkosh in a 1-1 game on Sept. 18, breaking the 0-16 record the Titans held over the Pioneers.

“We’re looking very promising in the conference this season, especially since beating UW-O and UW-L,” senior Allie Metcalfe said.

The Pioneers hosted Waldorf in a doubleheader with the men’s team, and refused to lose control of the game the entire 90 minutes.

“We’ve been working on our weaknesses, but we all came out and played as a team,” senior captain Kim Schneckloth said.

Freshman Anna Strasser started the trend with a goal off a break down the middle in the 13th minute. According to the Sports Information Web site, that marked Strasser’s fourth goal of the season.

The team continued to keep possession for most of the game, allowing for 31 shots on goal, while the Warriors could only take 7.

The Pioneers have struggled in the past with negativity throughout the team, and they have adapted a more positive outlook since Head Coach Enzo Fuschino’s absence this season, Metcalfe said.

“We have a new coach and a lot of new players this season, we’re trying to stay more positive because there was a lot of drama last season,” Metcalfe said.

The team has shown their support for Fuschino by wearing red bands on their arms and shin gaurds.

“We all want him to get better, we wear our red arm bands for him,” Metcalfe said. “We don’t want him to rush and worry about the team.”

Assistant coach Allison Sanyi stepped up to take over the teams with only two weeks before the start of season.

“She has stepped up 110% and had two weeks to get the team together in her own way instead of Coach Enzo’s,” Metcalfe said. “She knows what she’s doing.”

The Pioneers improved to 4-3-2 following their defeat against the Warriors. The visitors fell to 4-5-1. UW-P will host UW-Stout at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.

“We’ve been working on our weaknesses, we have a love of the game and we play with heart and skills,” Schneckloth said.