Titans Host Blugolds In WIAC Soccer Championship Semifinal
Top-seeded and defending tournament champion UW-Oshkosh will host fourth-seeded UW-Eau Claire in the semifinal round of the WIAC Women's Soccer Championship on Thursday (Nov. 5) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
UW-Oshkosh, ranked 25th in the NCAA Division III by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, received a bye into the semifinals after earning a piece of its first WIAC regular-season title. The Titans (13-3-2) shared the crown with UW-La Crosse (12-5-2), but captured the top seed for the league's postseason tournament by winning the tiebreaker of goal differential in conference contests. The teams concluded their seven WIAC regular-season games with 5-1-1 records.
UW-Eau Claire (6-9-3) advanced to the semifinals with its 2-1 victory over fifth-seeded UW-River Falls (9-8-2) on Tuesday (Nov. 3). The host Blugolds jumped to a 2-0 lead by scoring twice in the first 26 minutes of play.
Thursday's other semifinal match features second-seeded UW-La Crosse hosting third-seeded UW-Whitewater (15-4).
The semifinal winners will meet at the highest remaining seed for the tournament title on Saturday (Nov. 7). The winner of the WIAC Championship will earn the league's automatic berth into the 64-team NCAA Division III Championship that begins Nov. 14.
UW-Oshkosh has won its last four meetings with UW-Eau Claire, including a 3-0 decision on Oct. 24 in Oshkosh. The Titans also edged the Blugolds, 1-0, in the semifinals of last year's WIAC Championship. UW-Eau Claire holds a 22-8-3 advantage in a series that dates back to 1993.
The Titans lead the WIAC with 358 shots and 15 goals allowed while tying for the league lead with seven shutouts. UW-Oshkosh also ranks second in the conference with 44 goals.
UW-Oshkosh goalkeeper Nina Muzi paces the WIAC with a 0.85 goals-against average. She has played all but 90 minutes in goal for the Titans this season, recording 68 saves and five shutouts. Muzi's career totals include a 30-13-4 record with 14 shutouts and a 0.77 goals-against average.
Robyn Elliott, Alek Kleis and Christina Mauthe lead the Titans with seven goals each, followed by Alyssa Arnold and Rachel Elliott with four apiece.
Robyn Elliott has launched a team-leading 63 shots to rank third in the WIAC. Mauthe is tied for the league lead with six assists while listing second with four game-winning goals and fourth with 20 points.
Tara Dennehy leads UW-Eau Claire with four goals and ranks fourth in the conference with 55 shots.
UW-Eau Claire goalkeeper Sammie Lefaive has started 14 of the Blugolds' 18 games, making 70 saves and notching three shutouts. Her 0.96 goals-against average ranks third in the WIAC.
UW-Oshkosh won its second WIAC tournament title with last year's 1-0 victory over UW-Whitewater in the championship game. The Titans also claimed the league's tournament crown in 2011.
UW-Eau Claire is a three-time WIAC tournament champion. The Bluolds won three consecutive championships from 2005-07.
The top seed has won 54 of 58 games with one tie since the first WIAC Championship in 1992.
Ticket prices for Thursday's match between UW-Oshkosh and UW-Eau Claire are $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and $3 for students (K-12). All college students are admitted free with ID card.