Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team has secured its first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament title, earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The Blugolds defeated UW-Platteville 1-0 in the championship game held at Simpson Field.

This victory marks a significant achievement for the Blugolds, who also claimed the WIAC regular-season title earlier. Their current record stands at 15-1-4, and they have maintained an unbeaten streak of 11 games against WIAC opponents this season.

Owen Williams scored the decisive goal with a bicycle kick in the 20th minute, assisted by Carson Kowalski and Nathan Donovan. Despite being reduced to ten players due to a red card in the first half, UW-Eau Claire's defense remained solid. Goalkeeper Spencer Banks saved all four shots he faced, helping secure the win.

The Blugolds will discover their regional site and first-round opponent for the NCAA Tournament during the NCAA Selection Show on November 11. This appearance will be their third consecutive trip to the NCAA postseason, having reached notable stages in previous years.

For updates on their progress throughout the season, fans can follow them on various platforms including Blugolds.com and social media channels.