WLC Suffers Heartbreaking OT Loss In NACC Quarterfinals

VERONA, Wis. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College saw its season come to a close for the second straight year in a drama-filled 2024 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament Quarterfinal matchup, falling 1-0 in overtime to 23rd-ranked Edgewood on Sunday at Reddan Soccer Park.

The Warriors (8-8-3), who held the nation's second-highest scoring team without a goal for a total of 182 minutes this season, fell victim to an Eagles game-winning goal two minutes into the extra session. EC's Connor Gage scored directly on a corner kick in the 92nd minute to dash WLC's quarterfinal upset bid. 

Despite being outshot 21-4 for the match, eighth-seeded Wisconsin Lutheran kept top-seeded Edgewood out of the net through 90 minutes of regulation time for the second time this season. Senior Puma Galvan (Racine, Wis.) stopped five shots, including four in the opening half. All four of the Warriors' shots came in the second half, including three from sophomore Hector Cervantes (Milwaukee, Wis.). Cervantes provided WLC's only shot on goal in the 48th minute, but was denied by Eagles goalkeeper Maverick Van Laanen. 

EC held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks, while Wisconsin Lutheran had the edge in fouls, 14-11.

Gage tallied a match-high six shots and the game-winning goal for Edgewood (17-1-2), which advances to host fourth-seeded Aurora on Wednesday.

The Warriors made their second consecutive NACC Tournament appearance and ninth overall.