Blugolds Edge Titans In WIAC Finale

A battle for second place in the WIAC standings went in favor of UW-Eau Claire as the Blugolds defeated UW-Oshkosh, 1-0, in a women's soccer match held Saturday (Oct. 24) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. The contest was the WIAC finale for both teams.

Lisa Marco gave UW-Eau Claire (9-6-2/6-1-1 WIAC) its narrow victory when she headed a ball off a corner kick from Megan Hillesheim into the net with 9:38 to play. Marco's goal also helped UW-Eau Claire earn a bye into the semifinal round of the upcoming WIAC Tournament.

The loss lowered UW-Oshkosh (8-7-2/4-3-1 WIAC) into a tie for fourth place in the WIAC standings with UW-Whitewater (10-7-1/4-3-1 WIAC). UW-Oshkosh landed the fourth seed for the WIAC Tournament and will host fifth-seeded UW-Whitewater in a first round match on Nov. 3. The Titans defeated the Warhawks, 3-1, on Oct. 14 at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-Eau Claire held UW-Oshkosh to just six shots. Becca Blue (Fr. • Kimberly) led the Titans with three shots, while Jessica Erny (So. • Wauwatosa), Kelsey Spaith (So. • Madison) and Nicole Strieker (Fr. • Janesville) tallied one each. UW-Oshkosh attempted five corner kicks.

UW-Eau Claire launched 16 shots and three corner kicks. The Blugolds were paced by the four shots of Shyla Gilbertson and the three of both Rachel Nerison and Katie Richter.

UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Brittany Walder (So. • Waukesha) saved seven shots, including five in the first half. UW-Eau Claire goalkeeper Emily Kidd stopped three shots in recording her fourth shutout of the season.

UW-Oshkosh hosts Lawrence University on Wednesday (Oct. 28) in its regular season finale. The Titans are 6-1-1 in their home matches this season.