QUINCY, Ill. -- With a pair of goals from Kaela Hoecherl, third-seeded Wisconsin-Parkside opened up the 2013 NCAA tournament in style on Friday night, downing sixth-seed Michigan Tech 4-0 at Quincy's Legends Stadium.
The Rangers (14-4-3) opened the scoring in the 16th minute with Emily Konior drilling a free kick past the Huskies' (14-6-1) keeper from 28 yards out. The goal was the eighth of the season for Konoir, a 2013 All-Great Lakes Valley Conference second-team selection. UW-Parkside's lead doubled nine minutes later with Hoecherl finding the back of the net off assists from Jasmine Espino and Alex Johnson. The Rangers enjoyed a 2-0 lead at the halftime intermission, holding a 9-2 edge in shots, including all four on target.
Hoecherl added to the Ranger lead in the 52nd minute, scoring from 10 yards out for her team-leading 10th goal of the season with Johnson collecting her second helper of the night, increasing her team-best assist tally to eight on the season.
Stephanie Barsuli capped off the action in the 62nd minute, collecting her fifth score of the season off an assist from Vianey Hernandez.
Mallory Guerts and the Rangers' defense collected their 11th clean sheet of the season, limiting the Huskies to three shots on goal. MTU's Marybeth Spoehr suffered the loss in goal, making four saves in 45 minutes of action while Jenna Phelps tended the net in the second half.
The win advances UW-Parkside to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the fourth consecutive season. The Rangers will take on second-seed and host Quincy on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m.
