OSHKOSH, Wis.- UW-Oshkosh and the University of Dubuque (Iowa) will begin a new annual tradition on Saturday (Sept. 9) called the 151 Derby.

The annual 151 Derby will switch between Oshkosh and Dubuque with the winner taking home a trophy. The winning team will add their name on the side of the trophy each year.

The term derby (dar-bee) represents a soccer match played regularly played between two teams that are situated relatively close to each other geographically. The Titans and Spartans, who are close Midwest rivals, will face each other for the ninth time on Saturday.

The Titans and Spartans have played each other eight times, all since 2014. The teams did not meet in 2020 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The first meeting ended in a 2-0 decision in favor of the Titans at Chalmers Field in Dubuque. They also won the following three by a combined score of 7-1 before dropping the 2018 and 2019 matches to the Spartans. The 2021 and 2022 matches ended in a 2-1 win for each team.

"Coach Jason Berna has built a solid and respectable program at UD." Titan head coach Erin Coppernoll said. "We often come across similar recruits and his program is one of character and they play good soccer.  He and I go back years and enjoy competing against each other. Having a trophy outside of the conference is a fun way to add a little extra 'something' to play for into this game for both of our groups of student-athletes."

Coppernoll and Berna are the winningest head coaches in their respective programs. Since joining UWO in 2004, Coppernoll owns a 188-133-39 record, with appearances in the 2006, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2021 NCAA postseasons. Her teams have won the WIAC regular season title twice and the WIAC tournament title three times. Berna started both the women's and men's soccer programs at UD in 2001, serving as head coach of both teams until 2008 when he stepped down from the helm of the men's team to focus on the women's team. He owns a 224-154-35 record with two American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) tournament championships, an A-R-C regular season championship and an appearance in the 2014 NCAA postseason.

Courtesy of Brady Halverson, UW-Oshkosh interim sports information director.