PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's soccer team held a first-half lead, but ultimately fell to UW-Platteville 2-1 in the semifinals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament on Thursday. The Pioneers scored twice in the second half to end the Blugolds' tournament run.
The third-seeded Blugolds were looking to advance to the WIAC championship game for the second consecutive season. They got off a good start in the semifinals, with
Sophie Hubbard (Sr. - De Pere, Wis.) opening the scoring in the 32nd minute.
Haley Von Rentzell (So. - Chanhassen, Minn.) laid the ball off to the senior, and she lashed it from 28 yards out into the top left corner for one of the Blugolds' most impressive goals of the season.
The score remained 1-0 at halftime, and the Pioneers needed about 20 minutes of play in the second half before scoring the equalizer. They knocked the ball home off a free kick in the 67th minute. The Pioneers pounced on a loose ball in front of net just two minutes later to go ahead 2-1, and held on from there.
UW-Platteville held a 13-11 advantage in shots and 6-3 in shots on target.
Kennedy Boll (Jr. - Franklin, Wis.) made four saves for the Blugolds.
The Blugolds are now 10-5-4 and will await their postseason fate. The WIAC championship game will see UW-Platteville visit UW-La Crosse for the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
