PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team was on the road Friday for their final regular season game of the year. As UW-Eau Claire faced off with UW-Platteville, regional positioning was at stake as both teams battled the full 90 minutes. Despite an early lead and an equalizer in the 62
nd minute, the Blugolds conceded twice in the final 25 minutes to fall 4-2 to the Pioneers.
Noah Malcook (Fr. – Fitchburg, Wis./Oregon) got things started early once again for the Blugolds as he opened the scoring in the 14
th minute. Malcook volleyed a cross from
Carter Thiesfeld (Jr. – Forest Lake, Minn.) into the far corner while running to give UWEC a 1-0 lead. The opening tally held for most of the first half before UW-Platteville netted an equalizer in the 43
rd minute to send the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
After the break, the Pioneers would strike first as UWP took a 2-1 lead just 38 seconds into the second half. The Blugolds refused to back down as they took 22 total shots during the contest.
In the 62
nd minute,
Noah Malcook drew a free kick on the outside corner of the 18-yard box as Eau Claire kept knocking at the door.
Alek Laroi (Fr. – Grayslake, Ill./Libertyville) played a low cutting ball into the middle that allowed
Sam Lynch (Sr. – Verona, Wis.) to backheel the ball on a redirection past the Pioneer goalkeeper, tying the match at 2-2. The excitement and momentum of the equalizer was swept out from under the Blugolds in the 66
th minute as a penalty kick was awarded to Platteville for a foul inside the box. UWP converted on the PK and added one more goal six minutes later to deal UWEC their fourth loss of the season, 4-2.
Mark Belknap (Jr. – Anoka, Minn.) stopped three of the seven shots he faced as he ends the year with a record of 5-2-2.
The Blugolds (11-4-2) will await their fate in the NCAA Postseason tournament with the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer selection show scheduled for Monday, November 6
th at 2 p.m. CST. Fans can watch the show live at ncaa.com.
