CHICAGO, Ill. – Freshman Reilly Louko (Oakfield, WI/North Fond du Lac) scored her first collegiate goal in the second minute of play sparking the UW-Stevens Point women's soccer team (1-5-0) to its first victory of the season on Sunday with a 3-2 win against the Illinois Institute of Technology (0-4-1).
 
Louko scored her goal on the first shot of the match by either side.  The Pointer lead didn't last long as the home Scarlett Hawks found the equalizer in the ninth minute.
 
That did not discourage the UWSP side.  Ten minutes later, Hardyman and sophomore Elise Thuot (Hatley, WI/D.C. Everest) tested the IIT keeper to no avail.  The offensive pressure by UWSP paid off in the 37th minute as junior Danielle Thomason (Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) netted her first goal of the season to put the Pointers ahead once again.
 
Moments later, Louko added her second goal of the match to add to the UWSP advantage.  Her goal in the 40th minute was assisted by Thuot and would be crucial to the Pointers' success.
 
In the 49th minute, IIT got on the board again to cut the Pointer lead to 3-2.  A flurry of Scarlett Hawk pressure was brushed aside as sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Peplinski (Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) racked up four second-half saves to secure the first win of the year for UWSP.
 
Louko fired off a match-high five shots with three on frame.  The Pointers out-shot the home side 15-14, as UWSP put forth a season-best effort with the 15 shots taken.
 
The Pointers wrap up a five-match road swing on Wednesday with a 4:00 p.m. match at Crown College in Saint Bonifacius, Minn.  UWSP returns home next Sunday (Sept. 18) for a 2:00 p.m. tilt versus Lawrence.