The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's soccer team forced a draw with UW-Eau Claire as the two top WIAC teams battled in Eau Claire on a cold Saturday night. 

The Warhawks had their work cut out early, as the Blugolds came out quick with multiple shots on goal. In just the first 15 minutes, UW-Eau Claire had three shots on goal. The Warhawks weren't able to get any momentum going on offense, only recording one shot, which was blocked in the first half. 

The Blugolds finally broke through in the 28th minute, scoring with a double header from a long throw-in. The Warhawks had nothing going for them offensively, needing a large shift in momentum in the second half.

After the break, it looked like UW-Eau Claire was going to hold off the Warhawks for another 45-minutes. The Blugolds had two early 1v0 breakaways, but Austin Waite (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) kept the Warhawks in the game, making the saves needed not to allow a brace.

The saves paid off, with Cooper Re (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) breaking through in the 58th minute to knot the game up at 1-1. Re reached milestones in both career & single season, becoming the 5th Warhawk to reach 30 career goals and the first since 2002 to reach 13 goals in a single season. 

With just over 30-minutes remaining the Warhawks kept trying to find another break to put them over the top, but the Blugold defense held strong. Only allowing one more shot on goal from the Warhawks.

As time was starting to wind down, the Blugolds made two more attempts on goal in the last 5 minutes. Waite made the saves on both, including a point-blank shot with just seven seconds remaining to keep the game locked. Waite finished the game with 10 saves on his birthday. 

The Warhawks will have one non-conference test against Carroll on October 28th in Waukesha. UW-Whitewater will then return to Fiskum Field for its regular-season finale against UW-Platteville on October 31st. The Pioneer/Warhawk contest will mark the 12th annual Shaymus Guinn Cup as well as Senior Night.