EAU CLAIRE - The one-seeded UW-Eau Claire soccer team scored two goals in the second half to defeat UW-River Falls 2-0 today in the first WIAC Tournament semifinal match to advance to the championship match tomorrow at 1 p.m.

The first half was just like the regular season match-up between the two teams. Both teams started out very physical with both defenses having the advantage for the most part. The Blugolds had a slight advantage in shots, out-shooting the Falcons 9-5 in the first half.

After a scoreless first half, the Blugolds turned it on in the second half, controlling possession for most of the half. The Blugolds out-shot the Falcons in the second half 14-3. UWEC finally broke the scoreless tie at 72:05 when Laura Satre (Fr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) put in a cross from Amy Smith (Fr./Bloomington, MN/Jefferson) to give the Blugolds a 1-0 lead. It was Satre's first goal of the season.

The Blugolds then sealed the deal when Emily Meisinger (Jr.-Green Bay/Notre Dame Academy) scored at 81:38 to put UWEC up 2-0. Marcia Foltz (Sr.-Madison/Memorial) was credited with the assist. The defense then held it from there, shutting out their 13th opponent of the season.

The Blugolds will go on to face the number two seeded Titans of UW-Oshkosh. The Titans rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat UW-Stout 2-1 in the second semifinal. The Titans took the lead with just under two minutes remaining when the Titans' Nicole Kunick put it in the net.

The Blugolds beat the Titans 1-0 in the regular season match-up back on September 30th. Marcia Foltz scored the lone goal for the Blugolds in that one.

The WIAC championship match between the Blugolds and the Titans will begin tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at the Bollinger Fields.

Eau Claire-River Falls box score

- JR -