Box Score
Special Sequence of Photos (courtesy of Andrew Smith, available for purchase)
Photos (courtesy of Andrew Smith, available for purchase)

The UW-Whitewater women's soccer team captured its second Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in as many years with a 2-1 victory over UW-Eau Claire at Fiskum Field Saturday in Whitewater.  The Warhawks, rolling on an eight game win streak, improve to 12-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in the WIAC.  The Blugolds are 10-6-3 overall and 4-3-1 in the WIAC.

The Warhawks and Blugolds traded shots in the first two minutes.  Another shot wasn't taken until the eleventh minute when Emily Gerber (DeForest/DeForest) ripped a shot on goal that UW-Eau Claire goalkeeper Nina Behrenbrinker had to save.

Another shot by the Warhawks in the thirteenth minute sailed wide and then things got quiet for seventeen minutes.

In the 30th minute Emily Gerber (DeForest/DeForest) got the Warhawks on the scoreboard with her twelfth goal of the season.  Gerber is UW-W's all time leading scorer in goals (54) and points (129).

Laren Nashleanas (Brookfield/East) and Gerber each notched a shot on goal in the remaining minutes of the first half but the Warhawks were unable to build on their 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

The Blugolds recorded the first three shots of the second half, but none were on goal.  Christina Tooren (Hoffman Estates, IL/Hoffman Estates) countered with a shot in the 62nd minute but it sailed wide and the score remained 1-0.

Nashleanas tallied another shot on goal in the 79th minute but Behrenbrinnker made her fifth save of the game. 

The Blugolds made a bid to tie the score on a header by Brittany Burant at 81:07, but Jordan Myers (Aurora, IL/Waubonsie Valley) kept the ball out of the net and UW-EC off the scoreboard.

Christina Tooren (Hoffman Estates, IL/Hoffman Estates) gave UW-W a little breathing room, 2-0, with her ninth goal of the season at 82:56. 

It would prove to be the game winner, as UW-EC got on the board with an Allie Stone goal inside the box at 82:56, with an assist from Gina Williams.  It was Stone's third goal of the season.

The Warhawk defense limited EC to one shot in the first half, and UW-W wound up the contest with a 9-7 lead in shots.  Both teams had two corner kicks, and Eau Claire led in fouls 3-2. 

With the win the Warhawks not only defend their WIAC crown, they also earn the number one seed in the WIAC Tournament.  The tournament begins November 1 but UW-W receives a first round bye.  The Warhawks will host the lowest remaining seed at 2:00 pm on Thursday, November 3.  If they win Thursday, UW-W will host the finals at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 3.  The winner of the WIAC tournament earns an automatic berth into the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III national tournament.

For additional information, Greg Henschel UW-W soccer coordinator