STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Sophomores Maddy Hardyman (Red Wing, Minn./Red Wing) and Kassidy Spees (Nekoosa, Wis./) each found the back of the net in the first half as the UW-Stevens Point women's soccer team (7-5-1, 1-1-1) picked up its first conference win of the season over visiting UW-Eau Claire (4-7-1, 0-2-0) on Wednesday, 2-1.
 
The Pointers started the match with early offensive pressure.  UWSP earned five corner kicks in the first 22 minutes, but couldn't capitalize until the fifth one.  Nora Hargett (Columbia, Mo./Hickman) sent in a nice curling ball into the box that was chested down by Kortnee Hass (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg).  The ball fell to the feet of Hardyman, who rocketed the ball off the back post and in to give UWSP an early lead.  The goal was Hardyman's sixth of the year and Hargett upped her team lead in assists to six on the year.
 
In the 36th minute, the Blugolds sent a cross from the end line into the box where a UWEC player acquired the ball in the center of the net to knot the match at 1-1.
 
Freshman Gracie Wendels (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis./Assumption) won a battle for the ball in the defensive zone in the 41st minute.  She found fellow freshman Kenadie Cain (Lakeville, Minn./Shattuck St. Mary's) at midfield.  Cain send Spees in behind the defense and Spees did the rest of the work.  She touched the ball past the on-rushing goalkeeper and finished into an empty net for the go-ahead goal.
 
The second half was a defensive battle that saw UWSP senior goalkeeper Sarah Peplinski (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) make four saves to secure the win.
 
UWSP travels to UW-Platteville on Saturday for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff against the Pioneers.  The Pointers return home next Wednesday (Oct. 18) for a 4:00 p.m. tilt versus UW-Oshkosh.