WHITEWATER, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point men's soccer team (13-3-4) is headed to the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver's) title game for the first time in program history by advancing on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie at UW-Whitewater (14-3-2) on Thursday night.
WIAC co-Newcomer of the Year
Jaxon Buckley (Kingsford, Mich./Kingsford) put the Pointers up early with his 11th goal of the year in the 17th minute.
The Warhawks equalized in the 38th minute to send the match to half tied at 1-1.
UWW took the lead in the 60th minute and held the 2-1 advantage until late in the second half.
In the 81st minute,
Noah Johnson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) scored to level the match at 2-2.
Marcelo Chavez (Verona, Wis./Verona Area) recorded an assist on the goal.
Neither team scored in overtime to break the tie and match came down to penalty kicks.
Vincent Bianco (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton) and
Connor Urban (Waukesha, Wis./West) converted and the shootout was tied at 2-2.
After a UWSP miss,
Jacob Havlik (Onalaska, WIs./Onalaska) made his first save of the shootout to keep it level.
Tyler Hagen (Union Grove, Wis./Union Grove) and Chavez each converted and the Pointers led 4-3. Havlik made a diving stop to his left to send the Pointers through to the title match.
In addition to his two saves in the shootout, Havlik had eight saves in the match. UWW goalkeeper Austin Waite had five saves in the match.
UWSP will travel to UW-Eau Claire on Saturday (Nov. 8) for the 1:00 p.m. championship match with the winner receiving the conference automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
