In its first WIAC playoff game, the UW–Eau Claire women’s soccer team took on a familiar opponent.  And the result was the exact same.

Playing against UW-Stout for the second time in six days, the Blugolds earned a 1-0 victory on Tuesday at Bollinger Field and advance to the second round of the WIAC Soccer Championship.  It was the same final score as their victory over the Blue Devils last Wednesday.

The difference maker came in the 28th minute of the first half when freshman Sami Matuszak knocked in a goal off of a corner kick assisted by freshman Leah Perras.  It was the sixth goal of the season for Matuszak who now leads the team in that category.

The Blugolds outshot the Blue Devils 16-7 and 5-1 in shots on goal. Sophomore goalie Emily Byal recorded just the one save and won her second consecutive game improving her individual record to 3-1-0.

Getting their fourth straight win, the Blugolds improved to 8-9-2 on the season while the Blue Devils ended their season with a 5-10-3 clip.

Next the Blugolds travel to UW-Oshkosh on Thursday to take on the second-seeded Titans in the WIAC Semifinal.  Oshkosh is 10-7-1 including 6-2 in conference play.