ST. PAUL, MINN. - The storybook season of the Madison College women's soccer team already included chapters about the program's first North Central Community College Conference and Region IV championships. On Saturday, coach Matt Schwartz and the WolfPack added another chapter with a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against Anoka-Ramsey Community College to claim their first NJCAA District D crown and a first-ever appearance at the NJCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship in Dryden, New York from November 9-12.

Riding a four-match unbeaten streak, Madison College fell behind for just the fifth time this season when the host Rams, champions of Region XIII, knocked home a goal in the 36' against WolfPack goalkeeper Brandie Gospodarek. The scoring strike was the second of the postseason against the former Beaver Dam HS athlete, and the tenth allowed this entire season.

Despite owning a significant advantage in total shots and shots on goal, the 'Pack still trailed Anoka-Ramsey (9-3) a dozen minutes into the second half before netting the equalizer. Sophomore Breanne Kreklow scored an unassisted goal in the 58' to tie the match at one. It was the fifth goal of the year for the New Glarus, Wisconsin, native.

The match remained even through the rest of regulation and into the first sudden victory overtime period. Madison College continued to put pressure on the Rams defense, earning a corner kick just 34 seconds in. With overtime barely a minute old, the WolfPack tallied the game-winning goal off the foot of freshman Esther Noriega. The freshman winger, also from New Glarus, pushed Madison College into the national tournament with her 12th goal of the season, giving her sole possession of second place on the team in scoring.



The Madison College attack out shot the Rams by a 27-8 margin, including a 16-5 advantage in shots on goal. Kreklow and Noriega came off the bench to lead the WolfPack with a combined seven shots on goal - four and three, respectively. Gospodarek registered four saves in 91:18 of game action to help propel the 'Pack to the win in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Up Next:

Madison College (15-1-2) advances to the NJCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship in Dryden, New York, which will be played from November 9-12. The tournament will feature eight teams total, with the seedings, pairings, and game times to be announced later this week. 

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