By Kyle Naber, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's soccer team started the opening round of the WIAC playoffs on the right foot, following a 2-1 victory over the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Tuesday afternoon at Bollinger Field.
Right from the start, it was a very intense match for the Blugolds. Eau Claire was able to get the scoring started early. The Blugolds perfectly executed a corner kick, which resulted in a header from Lauren Lenz (So. - Saint Germain, WI/Northland Pines) that Ashley Seymour (Sr.-Verona, WI/Verona Area) promptly knocked in to make it 1-0.
Eau Claire continued to put on the pressure. At the 25-minute mark, Seymour set up Madeline Haworth (Fr.-Eagan, MN/Eastview) for the insurance goal. That goal would prove to be the winner for the Blugolds. River Falls did not quit though, as they added a goal just after the 30-minute mark.
In the second half, it was all action. Eau Claire fired eight more shots in the second half compared to River Falls' five. Both teams had chances to add another goal, but each attempt was just barely saved.
Head coach Sean Yengo was pleased with his team and was happy to get his seniors a win in what is most likely their final game at Bollinger Field.
"This team has been through a lot," Yengo said. "They have also come a long way, so I'm very proud of them."
With the win Eau Claire moves to (6-9-3) on the season and moves to the WIAC semifinals where they will play either the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh or University of Wisconsin- La Crosse on Thursday depending on the outcome of the University of Wisconsin- Stout and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater match.
