Late first-half goal back-breaker as women’s soccer falls in semis

For the Gazette
LA CROSSE – The UW-Stevens Point women’s soccer team (9-11-0) saw its postseason run halted in the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s) semifinals in a 3-0 loss to host UW-La Crosse (14-3-2).
The Pointers weathered the UWL storm early, holding the Eagles off the board for nearly 44 minutes. UWSP goalkeeper Miranda Nieman (Wisconsin Rapids) made six first-half saves before UWL broke the scoreless tie in the 44th minute.
UWL scored in its first shot of the second half to put UWSP’s deficit at 2-0. In the 67th minute, UWSP was credited with its first shot, but Bridget Kauzlaric’s (Coal City, IL) attempt went over the bar.
In the 84th minute, Madison Culli (Arlington Heights, IL) made UWL goalkeeper Quinn Shannon make her first save. After the Eagles pushed the lead to 3-0 in the 88th minute, Jessica Camarato (DeForest) got
UWSP’s second shot on goal less than a minute later.
Nieman made seven saves in the match while Shannon needed to make just two for the clean sheet.
UWSP’s Kati Frierdich (Neenahe) had a team-best 10 goals this season for the Pointers. She was the first Pointer to reach double figures in goals scored since Angela Gallow had 12 goals in 2012.