UW-Platteville became just the second team to take a lead on UW-Eau Claire, but the seventh-ranked Blugolds came back to post a 3-1 victory and clinch at least a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.
The Blugolds improved to 14-1 overall and 7-0 in the WIAC, while the Pioneers fell to 9-4-2, 1-3-2. UW-Eau Claire faces second-place UW-River Falls next Saturday in the regular-season finale.
The Pioneers made the Blugolds work for their title. Ashly Hamilton split the Blugold defense, making a long run and scoring from 27 yards out, giving UWP a 1-0 lead 7:56 into the game.
For the first time all year, UWEC had to come from behind against a conference team. Maria Iaizzo tied the game at 18:19, scoring on a header off a pass from Becky Westbrock.
The Blugolds added two goals in the second period, both by Liz Kooistra in scrambles in front of the net. Kooistra took the ball from behind two Pioneers and scored at the 48-minute mark, then scored on a header from Iaizzo 14:33 later.
UWP plays at Coe Monday at 4 p.m. then plays host to UW-Oshkosh Friday at 7 p.m. in the Homecoming match the Pioneers are looking to break the NCAA Division III attendance mark of 1,200 fans.
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