PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team continued play in the 2023 NCAA Division III tournament on Sunday evening as they took on the regional hosts, UW-Platteville in a rematch of the regular-season finale. Two goals in the first half from
Nathan Donovan (Jr. – Hazel Green, Wis./Wahlert) and
Noah Malcook (Fr. – Fitchburg, Wis./Oregon) powered the Blugolds to a 2-0 shutout victory and earned UWEC a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16.
After suffering a 4-2 loss to the Pioneers 16 days earlier to wrap up the regular season, the Blugolds were out for sweet revenge in a win or go home scenario. As both teams fought to keep their seasons alive, UWEC and UWP kept things close statistically, neither side held a large advantage in a single category.
The opening tally came in the 20
th minute after a corner kick bounced around the Platteville box and landed at the feet of
Noah Malcook. Malcook wasted no time with possession and slotted the ball past the Platteville keeper for an early 1-0 lead.
Nathan Donovan earned the lone assist on Malcook's 10
th goal of the season.
UW-Eau Claire kept their pressure high after their initial goal as they out shot UWP 9-4 in the opening 45 minutes. The aggressiveness paid off six minutes after the initial lead as
Telvin Vah (Gr. – Moorhead, Minn.) floated a ball over the Pioneer defensive back line and landed at the feet of a sprinting
Nathan Donovan. After a touch into space, Donovan curled the ball around the UWP goalkeeper to increase the Blugold lead to 2-0. Donovan's 23
rd goal of the season currently ranks him in the top five in the NCAA Division III for scoring.
The UW-Eau Claire lead held into halftime as both teams hit the locker rooms looking to adjust and find an edge in the second half.
In the second half, Eau Claire's defense stood strong and proud with numerous blocked shots by defenders and a pair of saves from
Spencer Banks (Jr. – Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH). UW-Platteville out shot Eau Claire 9-5 in the second half and tallied five total corners as they looked to find an answer. UWEC refused to bend or break as they kept the Pioneers from finding the back of the net in the final 45 minutes of play to secure the 2-0 victory and advance in the NCAA tournament.
Spencer Banks stopped all five shots he faced to earn his seventh win of the season and fourth shutout. Banks is now 7-2 on the year.
The Blugolds (13-4-2) will travel to Chicago, Ill. on Thursday, November 16
th for the NCAA sectional round hosted by the University of Chicago. UW-Eau Clare will face St. Olaf College on Friday, November 17
th at 2:30 p.m. from Stagg Field.
