ELSAH, IL – The Principia women's soccer team picked up its first conference win of the season on Saturday afternoon, grinding out a 1-0 home victory over MUW. Dachelle Carter provided the difference early in the second half, while goalkeeper Isabella Brancati and the Panther defense kept the Owls off the board for all 90 minutes.

Neither side could find a breakthrough before halftime. MUW generated more of the early opportunities, but Brancati was ready each time she was called upon, making four saves in the opening 45 minutes. Her final stop of the half came in the final minute as the Owls applied some late pressure before the break.

The Panthers found the goal they needed just over nine minutes into the second half. A ball from Maddie Frank found its way to Carter, who turned and fired the ball across the goal and past the Owls keeper into the far corner for her team-leading third goal of the season.

Brancati turned aside three more shots as MUW searched for an equalizer, and the Panthers weathered three Owl corner kicks in the final three minutes to see out the victory. Center back Makayla Kurtz made several key tackles and defensive plays on the MUW strikers throughout the game to preserve the clean sheet. The shutout is Brancati's third of the year, tying her for the SLIAC lead. She also leads the conference with 85 saves on the season.

With their first conference victory, Principia moves to 4-4-2 overall and 1-1-1 in the SLIAC. The Panthers stay home for their next conference game against Blackburn College on Saturday, October 10 at 1:00 PM CT.