Second Half Goals Doom Pioneers

Strong finish from Blugolds leads to 3-1 road win.

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Second Half Goals Doom Pioneers
November 6, 2021

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's soccer team fell to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at Ralph E Davis Stadium in Platteville.  The Pioneers, who entered the contest #4 in the NCAA Region IX rankings, finished its regular season with a 13-5-2 record.  The Blugolds improved to 15-4.

Things looked more promising for the Pioneers early on.  Jack Gentilli (So./Belleville, Wis.) took a pass from Mitch Reid (Jr./Oconomowoc, Wis.) and found the back of the net against Eau Claire keeper Spencer Banks to give the home team a 1-0 advantage at the 17:19 mark.  That score would hold for over 20 minutes, until the Blugolds were able to answer back with just under seven minutes remaining in the opening half.  UWEC's Matt Folden's goal brought the Blugolds back to even and the score remained 1-1 heading into halftime.

The turning point of the match came early in the second half when Carter Theisfeld, who had assisted on Eau Claire's first half score, connected with a goal of his own to give the Blugolds its first lead, 2-1.  At the 70:49 mark, Theisfeld provided another assist, this time to Will Heinen building a 3-1 lead.  Despite doubling UWEC's shots on goal, 14-7, the Pioneers would be unable to cut into their two goal deficit.

The Pioneers celebrated Senior Day before the match.  Platteville seniors Spencer Butterfield (Sr./Shawnee, Kan.), Erik Eilertson (Sr./Baraboo, Wis.), Scott Slocum (Sr./Channahon, Ill.), and Will Sullivan (Sr./Racine, Wis.) were recognized for their contributions to the program prior to playing in their final regular seasion home contest.