The UW-Platteville women's soccer team earned a 1-1 tie with Triana, while the Pioneer men were edged 3-2 by the Triana counterparts in UWP's final games in Spain, May 27.
Vicki Hribar scored the first international goal in Pioneer women's history, as she tied the game after a gutty assist by Paula Duerst. Elisa Schulenberg fed Duerst, who survived a hard collision with the Triana goalkeeper and made the pass to Hribar.
"Paula was able to push the ball past the goalie to Vicki Hribar before getting crushed by the keeper," Coach Chris Bianchi said. "Vicki ended up knocking in the game tying goal. Duerst was shaken up and didn't even see the goal but returned to play the entire second half!
"The game was back and forth with UWP getting the Triana squad frustrated with their ability to win all the 50-50 balls. We had many other opportunities in the second half but couldn't capitalize. The best came with 30 seconds left when Hribar beat her mark down line on the right flank and sent a perfect cross in the middle of the box. Duerst got a piece of the ball as it ended up at Abby Genske's feet far post but a Triana defender made a spectacular play to stop the ball from crossing the goal line since the goalie was beaten... The Triana players gave our girls their game jerseys after the match. I was able to talk to their coach and players through our translator (Ange Bianchi) and I thanked them for inviting us to their beautiful soccer facility. Their coach was impressed that we were able to play with so much energy after playing FC Seville the night before."
The men continued their strong play that they showed in only losing 4-1 to a FC Seville team fresh off its European championship.
Eric Sautbine tied the game at 1-1 when he converted a penalty kick. "The keeper really had no chance as he placed it perfectly and struck it with a lot of velocity to the lower left corner," Bianchi said.
After Triana forged a 3-1 lead, the Pioneers mounted a comeback as cut the deficit in half when Jason Vockrodt scored.
"Eric Christensen stole the ball from a Triana midfielder on the left flank and made a perfect cross far post," Bianchi said. "Bryan Mark and Jason Vockrodt were making runs into the box as Vockrodt broke to the far post space. I honestly have never seen Jason jump so high in the past two years. He was higher than everyone and headed home second goal."
Both teams had tremendous experiences not only with their travels abroad but by playing as such a high level, the coach said.
"I believe our players are starting to realize that this is something they will remember for the rest of their lives," he said. "Anyone who understands professional athletics and/or soccer can appreciate what our teams accomplished on this trip."
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