EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – With the clock ticking towards a tie, a Paige LeGate (So-Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port) goal snapped a 1-1 stalemate in the second overtime, leading the UW-Eau Claire soccer team to a 2-1 victory over UW-Platteville this afternoon at the Bollinger Fields.
Both teams knocked in first-half goals, but neither managed to score again by the end of regulation. The Blugolds struck first, when Rachel Nerison (Sr.-Maple Grove, Minn.), assisted by Melissa Leister (Fr.-Oconomowoc, Wis./Kettle Moraine), found the back of the Pioneer net under 11 minutes into the game. Platteville answered back at 28:44, tying the score on one of their two shots in the first half.
The Blugolds took aim at the net several more times during the second half – and prevented the Pioneers from taking any shots on goal at all – but couldn't put a score on the board. The teams took the competition into extras, but the tie continued well past the first overtime period.
With less than a minute and a half remaining in the second overtime, LeGate broke the deadlock and scored her fifth goal of the season. With help from Gina Williams (Jr.-Madison, Wis./Verona Area), LeGate punched in the winning goal at 108:37 and saved the Blugolds from a tie.
The Blugolds by far outshot the Pioneers, taking 28 shots compared to Platteville's five. Nina Behrenbrinker (So.-St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) tended the Eau Claire net and made three saves.
The win boosts the Blugolds to 6-3-1 overall and an even 2-2 in WIAC play. Platteville drops to 5-6 on the season and 1-2 in conference matches.
The Blugolds will return to Bollinger Fields tomorrow to take on Macalester College (Minn.). Competition is set to begin at 3 p.m.
-AH-
