Pioneers Spoil Titans' WIAC Finale

Sarah Eck scored twice within a span of three minutes early in the second half as the UW-Platteville women's soccer team held on for a 2-1 victory over UW-Oshkosh on Saturday (Oct. 26) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

Eck broke a scoreless contest when she converted a penalty kick during the 51st minute (50:32) of play. The Pioneers earned the opportunity after a UW-Oshkosh player was called for a handball inside the 18-yard penalty box.

Eck then doubled UW-Platteville's lead when she headed an eight-yard shot into the net during the 53rd minute (52:16).

UW-Oshkosh (10-7-1/6-2 WIAC), which had two shots hit the crossbar in the first half and one in the second, sliced its deficit to 2-1 on Amanda Baalke's goal in the 65th minute (64:59). Her 10-yard kick followed a pass from Chelsea Kierszh.

UW-Oshkosh attempted 23 of the game's 30 shots. The Titans were led by the five shots from Robyn Elliott, four from Baalke and the three each from Nikki Mann, Leeah Rivas and Megan White. Eck launched two shots and five players one each for the Pioneers.

UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Katie Berkopec saved three shots, including two in the second half.

UW-Platteville split its goalkeeping duties as Jade Jandt saved six shots in the first half and Mandy Taylor two in the second.

Despite the loss, UW-Oshkosh concluded WIAC play with a second-place finish in the league standings. The Titans also finished second in the league in 2001, 2005 and 2006.

UW-Oshkosh wraps up its regular-season at Marian University on Monday (Oct. 28). The Titans will then be off until they host an undetermined opponent in the semifinal round of the WIAC Championship on Nov. 7.