OSHKOSH, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Despite an early lead, the UW-Eau Claire soccer team lost a shootout 3-2 to UW-Oshkosh this evening, falling in its opening match of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament.
The Blugolds held a one goal lead the majority of the match after Brittany Burant (Sr.-Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) sunk in an unassisted goal less than five minutes into competition.
Strong defensive play prevented additional scoring, but the Titans made it a game again in the final minutes of regulation. Oshkosh drilled in a goal with just over three minutes remaining to force overtime play.
Each team took two shots during the two overtime periods, but the game remained deadlocked at 1-1.
In the deciding shootout, Rachel Nerison (Sr.-Maple Grove, Minn.) and Burant nailed goals, but it wasn't enough to overcome Oshkosh. The Titans won the shootout 3-2 and eliminated Eau Claire from the WIAC Tournament.
Nina Behrenbrinker (So.-St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) guarded the Blugold net the entire 110 minutes of play. She made four saves on the day.
The Blugolds end the season 10-6-4 overall and 4-3-1 in the conference. Oshkosh now holds an 11-6-2 record.
Nerison, Burant and Alyssa Walker (Sr.-Madison, Wis./West) wrapped up their careers with the Blugolds.
The WIAC Tournament will continue this Thursday and Saturday, with the championship match starting at 1 p.m. Saturday.
-AH-
