PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Facing the top-ranked team in NCAA DIII, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's soccer team (4-4-2) battled No. 1 St. Olaf (11-0-1) to a 2-2 draw on Tuesday inside Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.
UW-Platteville's two goals were the most allowed by the Oles in a single game this season, who entered the contest having given up just three over the first 11 matches. The Pioneers also snapped St. Olaf's 11-match winning streak from the start of the season.
Both defenses were stout in the opening half, as the two teams combined for just four total shots and one shot on goal entering the break. A defensive miscue allowed UW-Platteville to lead at halftime, as an own goal in the 36th minute put the home team ahead.
The offense picked up in the second half, with the Oles tying the game in the 60th minute after a long throw in deflected into the back of the net. Freshman
Bryker Langfald gave the lead back to the Pioneers in the 67th minute after heading home a cross from freshman
Niall Hagen for his first career goal.
The lead was short lived however, as St. Olaf knotted the game up at two in the 71st minute. Neither side could break the tie as time ran out, and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
The shot attempts jumped up in the second half, with the Oles holding a 12-7 advantage. UW-Platteville was efficient with its shots, as six of the seven in the second half were on goal, compared to four for St. Olaf. With the game tied at two, sophomore goalkeeper
Connor Waite made a fingertip save in the 80th minute, while freshman
Calen Wahlberg had a pair of looks on goal down the stretch that were turned aside.
Waite finished with a pair of saves across his 90 minutes in goal. Six different players attempted at least one shot for the Pioneers, with Wahlberg and junior
Westley Hankes leading the way with two each.
The Pioneers will travel to UW-Eau Claire on Saturday night to continue WIAC play. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
