Hobbs Ice Arena | UW-Eau Claire Blugolds
Hobbs Ice Arena | UW-Eau Claire Blugolds
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's women's lacrosse team has advanced to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) title game for the first time in the program's history. This achievement comes after their victory over the College of Saint Benedict with a score of 18-15 during the semifinals of the WIAC Tournament, held at the Sonnentag Fieldhouse.
This win propels the Blugolds into the championship game against Colorado College, ranked 15th, on Saturday. Last season, UW-Eau Claire secured third place in the inaugural WIAC Tournament and now aims for the trophy.
In the match, UW-Eau Claire established an early lead, starting off the first quarter with a 6-2 score, aided by two goals from Reegan Werner of Farmington, Minnesota. The Bennies countered with three goals at the start of the second quarter, narrowing the deficit to 6-5. The Blugolds held an 8-6 advantage at halftime.
As the second half commenced, the Bennies got within one point of the lead, but UW-Eau Claire responded with goals from Werner, Samantha Burns of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, and Alexie Romanelli of Naperville, Illinois. They widened their lead further with additional goals in the third quarter. Despite Saint Benedict's attempt to close the gap with three consecutive goals, the Blugolds entered the final quarter with a 14-12 lead.
Ella Novak of Columbia, Maryland, and Ellie Fisher of Stillwater, Minnesota, extended the lead early in the fourth quarter, followed by two more goals by Devon Crews of St. Louis, Missouri, establishing an 18-13 advantage. Saint Benedict was unable to mount a comeback in the remaining time.
Crews led the team with six points. Werner contributed five points, all from goals. Jess Stiller of Evergreen, Colorado, along with Crews, scored three goals each. Alexandria Shea of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, made five saves in goal to secure the victory.
The Blugolds will compete against Colorado College for the conference title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament at the Sonnentag Fieldhouse.
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