RIVER FALLS, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's lacrosse team rallied past UW-River Falls 12-11 in the third-place game of the inaugural Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament on Saturday at Ramer Field. The Blugolds overturned a four-goal deficit to defeat the Falcons and clinch third place in the conference.
Samantha Burns (Jr. - Mahtomedi, Minn.),
Alexie Romanelli (Jr. - Naperville, Ill./Central) and
Victoria Shea (Fr. - Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Indian Trail) all tallied three points each to lead UW-Eau Claire. The Blugolds trailed 8-4 at halftime, but stormed back in the second half.
Burns and Shea scored early in the third quarter to slash the deficit to two goals. The Falcons answered with a score of their own to make it 9-6, but the Blugolds took over from there. A goal from
Raegan Valois (So. - Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) at the 1:08 mark of the third period started a run of five consecutive goals for UW-Eau Claire.
Jess Stiller (Fr. - Evergreen, Colo.) struck in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter to break a 9-9 tie and put the Blugolds ahead for good. Stiller and
Reegan Werner (So. - Farmington, Minn.) later added insurance goals, which proved critical as the Falcons scored twice in the final three minutes to pull within one.
Alexandria Shea (Jr. - Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail) made seven saves in goal for her 12th victory of the season. Stiller and Werner finished with two points each.
The Blugolds held a 34-26 advantage in shots and led 13-10 in draw controls.
UW-Eau Claire wraps up its first-ever season in the WIAC with a 12-5 mark. NCAA Tournament qualifiers will be announced on Monday, May 6.
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