RIPON, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College used a dominant first-half performance to secure a 2-0 non-conference victory over Ripon on Thursday at Hopp Stadium.

The Warriors (2-0-0) wasted little time establishing control, outshooting the Red Hawks 9-2 in the opening 45 minutes. The pressure paid off in the 31st minute when junior forward Morgan Bluhm (New Berlin, Wis.) found the back of the net for her third goal of the season. Bluhm's unassisted strike at 30:19 gave WLC a 1-0 lead it would not relinquish.

Wisconsin Lutheran doubled its advantage just before the halftime whistle. In the 41st minute, freshman Gracie Schmidt (Cedar Grove, Wis.) scored her first collegiate goal at 40:13, assisted by sophomore Grace Konzak (Cedar Grove, Wis.). The two-goal cushion allowed the Warriors to head into the break with significant momentum.

In the second half, RC (1-1-0) attempted to mount a comeback, increasing its offensive pressure to outshoot WLC 7-3 in the period. However, Wisconsin Lutheran's defense and junior goalkeeper Sam Schroeder (Brookfield, Wis.) remained firm. Schroeder finished the night with three saves to earn the clean sheet, while the team defense accounted for an additional save to keep Ripon off the board.

For the match, the Warriors held a 12-9 edge in total shots and a 7-4 advantage in shots on target. Bluhm led the offensive charge with four shots, three of which were on goal. Junior Ava Collyard (Richfield, Wis.) also contributed three shots for WLC.

The Red Hawks' Rebecca Roszel led her team with three shots, while goalkeeper Kaitlan Adkins made four saves in the loss.

Wisconsin Lutheran looks to carry momentum into its home opener this weekend when it hosts Martin Luther (0-0-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Warriors Soccer Field.