Mequon, Wisc. - Elena Esparcia Cañada scored on a penalty kick at the 2:43 mark, and Abigail Dudek and Julianna Moore provided second half goals to help lead Illinois Tech to a 3-1 victory over host and top-seeded Concordia University Wisconsin in their NACC Women's Soccer Tournament semi-final match Wednesday afternoon at Fitting Field. The win propelled the fourth-seeded Scarlet Hawks into the championship game Saturday, November 6th against third-seeded Dominican University. The Hawks improved 15-5-1 on the season. The Falcons finished the season 14-4-0 overall.

How It Happened

• At the 2:43 mark, Illinois Tech's Julia Taliana was taken down in the Falcon's penalty box area, resulting in a penalty kick that Esparcia Cañada converted to stake the Hawks to an early 1-0 lead.
• The Hawks finished the first half with 12 shots with six shots on goal.
• In the 56th minute, Taliana was again fouled, resulting in a free kick. Taliana's kick from the far side in the attack zone found Dudek, who headed in the ball to boost the Hawks lead to 2-0.
• In the 70th minute, Nicole Fajardo pressured and stole the ball in the center circle to start a Scarlet Hawks break. Farjardo dribbled straight on, passed to Kenzie Tokuchi to her right, and Tokuchi immediately chipped the ball to a streaking Moore coming down the left side. Moore finished the drive off with a left-footed shot over the head of Falcon's goalkeeper Kaeley Sterkel to extend the Hawks lead to 3-0.
• The Falcons responded in the 76th minute when Mackenzie Larsen gained control of the ball at midfield and sent a long feed towards the box that Selena Esten tracked down and pushed through for her 23rd goal of the season.
• With two minutes remaining, Esten had another chance to cut the Falcons deficit as she pushed a feed on net, but Hawks goalkeeper Hailey Flannagan denied the chance, with the Hawks ultimately finishing off the 3-1 victory.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Taliana had an assist to go along with four shots - one on goal. She was also instrumental in drawing several fouls, two of which resulted in two Illinois Tech goals.
• Esparcia Cañada with five shots, two shots on goal, and the early penalty kick goal to stake the Hawks to the early lead. The goal was her team-leading 11th goal of the season.
• Dudek with the header goal to push the Hawks lead to 2-0, along with her play on defense.
• Fajardo, Tokuchi and Moore teaming up for the Hawks third goal to help cement the victory.
• Alexis Williamson, Hali Parker , Jillian Oligschlaeger and Katelyn Holcomb among the defensive standouts that limited the potent Falcons attack to just one goal.
• Flannagan earned her tenth win of the season, and her second tournament win. She finished with three saves.

Inside the Box Score

• The Scarlet Hawks outshot the Falcons 18-12.
• The Falcons had the advantage in corner kicks, 8-3.
• The Hawks incurred 10 fouls, while the Falcons had seven.

Up Next

• The fourth-seeded Scarlet Hawks advance to the NACC Women's Soccer Tournament Championship game on Saturday, November 6th to face third-seeded and host Dominican University at 1pm.