DECORAH, Iowa — Luther secured a 2-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Wednesday night, with both goals coming in the second half from Ava Stemler and Lauren Linkletter. The Norse are now 4-1-1 overall. 

The first half featured the teams battling on both sides of the ball. Linkletter had an early opportunity in the 10th minute firing a shot but Bella Jones of the Blugolds deflected the ball away. Despite multiple corner opportunities and shots by both teams it was scoreless heading into halftime.

Luther broke the game open just 52 seconds into the half. Katelyn Lynch set up the play sending the pass over the defensive line. Ava Stemler had all the time she needed scoring the game winner and her second of the season. Then in the 51st minute, Kate Van Deventer threaded the ball through to Linkletter who stripped it away for the goalie to make it a 2-0 advantage. 

Goalkeeper Elisabeth Queoff made five saves for her second shutout of the season. Linkletter leads the team with five goals. 

The Blugolds fell to 1-5-1 overall with the loss. UW-Eau Claire had 15 shots. 

Luther now leads the all-time series between the two teams with a record of 11-10-1 since 1992. 

Looking ahead, the Norse will return to their home field on Saturday, Sept. 20 to face the University of  Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The matchup will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. in Decorah, Iowa.