No. 19 UW-Platteville Picks Up 1-0 Win Over UW-Whitewater to Begin WIAC Play

Freshman Mbodje Sarr scored a goal in his third-straight game to lead the No. 19 University of Wisconsin-Platteville to a 1-0 win over the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Thursday night in Whitewater.

The Pioneers (11-1-1, 1-0-0 WIAC) extend its winning streak to six in a row with the win. After a scoreless first 90 minutes, the UW-Platteville attack maintained its intensity in the overtime. After a stingy defense withstood an early threat on a corner kick by the home team.

The Warhawks (4-4-1, 0-1-0 WIAC) were able to get off 18 shots against a rigid Pioneer defense. Logan Fye led the UW-Whitewater attack with six shots including a header attempt off a corner kick early into the extra session that was saved by Christensen. The loss is the first ever for UW-Whitewater in the WIAC since the adoption of men's soccer in 2009.

"This group has been digging hard and finding a way to win all season," noted head coach Enzo Fuschino. "Everyone on this team knows their role and playing to the best of their ability in each game. It was important for us to start conference play with a win."

Pioneers' senior Brandon Chmiel organized an attack that fired three shots in the overtime. Chmiel had back-to-back shots blocked by UW-Whitewater goalkeeper Josh Rohde, where an alert Sarr on the second shot picked up the rebound for the game-winning goal in the 94th minute.

The Pioneer defense has not allowed a goal in the last 334:52, including three-consecutive shutouts. A key factor in the defensive play has been the performance of goalkeeper Ian Christensen. The junior made five saves on the evening en route to his eighth shutout. The eight shutouts by Christensen are tied for the second most in program history along with Bill Banta (1983) and Chris Robbins (1997).

UW-Platteville will return to action on Wednesday, October 10th at 7 p.m. when they travel to face Wartburg in Waverly, Iowa.