PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Freshman
McKinley Ladd's go-ahead goal in the 82
nd minute of Thursday's WIAC Semifinal (presented by Culver's) at Ralph E. Davis posted a 2-1 victory over UW-Eau Claire, sending the Pioneers to their fourth-consecutive WIAC Championship game.
Saturday's Championship game will be the fourth-straight title game between the Pioneers and UW-La Crosse as UW-Platteville is in the hunt for their first-ever NCAA Championship berth.
Senior
Sarah Liljestrand got the scoring started in the eighth minute off a low-center shot following a pass from freshman
Morgan Hospodarsky. UW-Eau Claire then tied the game in the 28
th minute to send the game into halftime knotted 1-1.
Making just her seventh appearance this season, Ladd scored the unassisted game-winning goal with eight minutes remaining in regulation off a deep free kick from 30 yards out.
The Pioneers finished the contest with a 16-8 advantage in total shots, and 10-4 in shots on goal. UW-Platteville held the edge in corner kicks with 6-3 while UW-Eau Claire totaled 15 fouls compared to three by the Pioneers.
Senior
Marguerite Mueller collected the win while totaling three saves, including a key one in the final minute of the game.
UW-Platteville will travel to UW-La crosse on Saturday for the 5 p.m. Championship game, with the winner receiving the WIAC's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championships.
