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Warhawk women’s season ends in WIAC tournament

STEVENS POINT — UW-Whitewater’s women’s soccer team came close, but top-seeded UW-Stevens Point prevailed in the semifinals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.

The Pointers gained the upper hand in a 2-0 first half here Thursday and held on for a 2-1 victory over the fifth-seeded Warhawks to earn a spot in the title game here Saturday against second-seeded UW-Eau Claire.

Eau Claire advanced with a 4-0 win over third-seeded UW-River Falls.

Stevens Point (14-3-1) won the regular-season title, but the tournament champion gets the conference’s automatic NCAA Division III tournament bid. The Pointers are looking to make it a repeat of both titles.

After the Pointers grabbed their early lead over Whitewater on goals by Hillary Sauer and Vicki Bieschke, the Warhawks had their chances. Emily Gerber had two shots on the net turned away early in the second half, then scored on an assist by Gabby Fenzel at the 52:35 mark.

Whitewater had two chances to tie late in the game, but Stacey Schultz’s shots on the net also were rejected by Stevens Point goalie Liz Hunter at 83:13 and 89:00.

Gerber’s goal was her 25th of the season, adding to her school record. She also finished with a school-record 51 points.

Whitewater’s season ended with a 11-8-1 record.

STEVENS POINT 2, WHITEWATER 1

UW-Whitewater 0 1—1

UW-Stevens Point 2 0—1

First Half

SP—Hillary Sauer (Kirsti Nickels), 32:01. SP—Vicki Bieschke (Jackie Spees), 41:19.

Second Half

W—Emily Gerber (Gabby Fenzel), 52:35.

Saves—Samantha Neely (W) 5, Liz Hunter (SP) 4.