UW-Platteville Upsets No. 4 Loras, 2-1

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's soccer team picked up one of the biggest wins in school history on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over No. 4 Loras College at Pioneer Stadium.

After a 25-minute delay to the start of the game, the Pioneers went ahead early in the 20th minute when senior Brandon Chmiel scored the first of his two goals. Chmiel ripped a shot from the left and put it past the Duhawks goalkeeper for the early lead. He added his second goal of the night in the 31st minute when he made a free kick bender past the keeper into the upper corner of the goal.

The Pioneers (7-1-1) held a 2-0 lead but that did not hold the potent attack of Loras off. The Duhawks continued to challenge a stingy UW-Platteville defense until they found the back of the net when Erik Berkowitz headed in a free kick from the foot of Andy Filipiak in the 43rd minute.

Loras (7-1-1) continued to challenge the Pioneer defense throughout the rest of the contest. Anchoring the defense was reigning WIAC Defensive Player of the Week, goalkeeper Ian Christensen who tied a season-high with eight saves.

Christensen and the Pioneer defense entered the contest that ranked 16th in the nation in goals-against average. Despite being outshot an 11 to 2 margin in the second 45 minutes, it was the strong play of Christensen that played a key role in the Pioneers pulling out the win.

It is the second-straight win over a ranked team for the Pioneers, who earlier in the day had moved up to No. 4 in the latest NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division III Men's North Regional Rankings.

Next on the schedule for the Pioneers is a road contest on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Carroll at 1 p.m.

#1 by Chmiel

Goal #2 by Chmiel