Postseason Play Continues For Pioneer Athletics

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Seven University of Wisconsin-Platteville athletic teams are in action this week, with men's soccer hosting the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament this weekend and volleyball playing the first match of the WIAC Tournament at home on Tuesday. Both basketball teams get underway this week, while football, cross country, and wrestling compete over the weekend.

Men's Soccer Hosts NCAA Tournament

Following a fantastic season, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's soccer team earned its second consecutive NCAA DIII Tournament berth and will play host to the tournament's first two rounds this weekend.

The Pioneers (13-2-5) received an at-large bid and will welcome Lake Forest (7-8-4) to town on Saturday evening at 6 p.m.

North Central (Ill.) (15-2-2) and UW-Eau Claire (11-4-2) will play the second game of the day at 8:30 p.m. with the winners of the two matches advancing to Saturday's second round contest at 7 p.m.

UW-Platteville advances to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in program history and are hosting for the first time since 2008.

Volleyball Begins WIAC Tournament at Home Tuesday

For the first time since 2010, the Pioneers volleyball team will host the opening round of the WIAC Tournament when sixth-seeded UW-River Falls comes to Platteville on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The Pioneers swept the Falcons in the first meeting between the two teams in early October. UW-River Falls enters the tournament at 19-9 overall with a 3-4 mark in WIAC play after closing the season with a loss to UW-Whitewater.

The winner of Tuesday's match will head to UW-Whitewater on Thursday for the conference semifinals. The WIAC Championship is set for Saturday, November 11.

Men's Basketball Tips-Off Season with Gabe Miller Classic

The Pioneers men's basketball team will host the annual Gabe Miller Classic presented by the DRA this weekend to begin the 2023-2024 season. UW-Platteville takes on Saint Mary's (Minn.) Friday night at 7 p.m. before facing Gustavus Adolphus on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The Cardinals went 16-10 last season and lost in double overtime in the MIAC playoffs to Hamline. A pair of juniors in Owen Ziegler and Breyton Buysman return to lead Saint Mary's after both averaged double digits in scoring a year ago.

The Gusties went 9-16 in 2022-2023 and will play UW-Whitewater on Friday night before traveling to Platteville for Saturday's game.

Women's Basketball Heads to Michigan for Season Opener

The Pioneers women's basketball team hits the road to tip-off the season with a pair of games in Holland, Michigan. UW-Platteville plays Marian (Wis.) at 5 p.m. on Friday evening before seeing Hope at noon on Saturday.

The Sabres went 7-18 last season and will play Hope on Thursday night before facing the Pioneers the next day. Sophomore Kiara Williams, the team's leading scorer from a year ago, returns for Marian.

Hope went 26-3 in 2022-2023 and played a pair of games in the NCAA Division III Tournament, beating St. Norbert but falling to Wartburg. The Flying Dutch have a young roster, with just one senior.

Football Hosts UW-Stout for Senior Day

Following a big win over UW-Oshkosh on Saturday, the Pioneers football team will close the season at home against UW-Stout on Saturday at 1 p.m. UW-Platteville will recognize the senior class and their contributions to the program prior to the game.

The Blue Devils are 4-5 on the year and 2-4 in conference play, including a 38-13 win over UW-Eau Claire this past weekend. Quarterback Mitch Waechter leads an offense averaging 34.4 points per game, while the defense allows 27.1 per contest.

Cross Country Runs at NCAA North Regionals

The Pioneers cross country teams look to clinch a berth to the NCAA National Championships this Saturday when they run at the NCAA North Regional meet at 11 a.m. from the Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax, Wisconsin. The Pioneers are familiar with the course having run it in late September at the UW-Eau Claire Blugold Invite.

Wrestling Competes at Luther Open

After a successful weekend at the University of Dubuque Jim Fox Invite, the Pioneers wrestling team continues its early season schedule at the Luther Open this Saturday. Wrestling will begin at 9 a.m. with UW-Whitewater and UW-Eau Claire joining UW-Platteville among the 22 teams competing.

More info about the Luther Open can be found HERE.