PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's soccer team saw their season come to an end with a tough 1-0 overtime loss against UW-Eau Claire in the WIAC Championship game on Sunday afternoon.
The high-energy and physical game saw 31 total fouls, with the Blugolds committing 19, including one just prior to the game-winning goal which gave the Pioneers an opportunity for a penalty kick.
Following Payton Douglas' huge stop on the Pioneers' penalty kick, the Blugolds took to ball down field and after a scramble in the box, a deflected shot was knocked in by Colin Mandernach to send UW-Eau Claire into the NCAA DIII Championships.
In the closely contested game, UW-Platteville finished with a 14-12 advantage in shots, including eight in the second half, and a 6-5 edge in shots on goal. Juniors
Westley Hankes and
Aiden Hatleberg each totaled a game-high three shots apiece.
Sophomore
Connor Waite totaled four saves in the game, including a big save late in the second half to send the game into overtime.
The Pioneers finish their season 10-5-4 overall after a 4-0-1 record in conference play. The Blugolds improved to 10-3-7 (2-1-2 WIAC) and will advance to next weekend's opening round of the NCAA DIII Championships.
