LA CROSSE, Wis. – Competing in a third-straight WIAC Championship, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's soccer team (8-6-6, 2-1-4 WIAC) fell 2-0 to UW-La Crosse (18-2-1, 6-0-1 WIAC) in a closely contested game on Sunday afternoon from Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse.
The Eagles broke through late in the first half, scoring in the 34th by minute. The score remained the same until UW-La Crosse found the back of the net with just over eight minutes to play. Juniors Sarah Lijestrand, Jess Morawski and sophomore Jorie Carr each registered shots in the final seven minutes, with Lijestrand and Morawski's shots falling on target, but UW-La Crosse's Summer Nicolai came up with two major saves to preserve the win.
UW-La Crosse held a slim 16-14 advantage in total shots, including an 8-7 edge in shots on goal. Sophomore Emma Verdon, senior Izzy Streeter and junior Amanda Dietz tied for the team lead in shots with two.
Junior goalkeeper Marguerite Mueller made six saves on eight shots faced in the close. Four of those saves came in the first half.
With the win, UW-La Crosse claims its fourth consecutive WIAC Tournament Championship and Eagles secure the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
