RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls Men's Soccer team lost its regular season finale against #7 UW-Eau Claire, 2-0, at Smith Stadium at Ramer Field on Saturday, Nov. 7
Tonight's match against the Blugolds served as UWRF's senior day, where the team honored its five graduating players: Carson Galla, Logan Meyer, Charlie Theis, Garrett Sutton, and Chase Syverud.
The Blugolds, who entered the game ranked #1 in the Region IX rankings and seventh in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, totaled two goals off 39 total shots and 16 shots on target. Landon Christiansen and Sorel Richardson led the way for UW-River Falls with two shots each.
Starting at goalkeeper in today's match, graduate goalkeeper Carson Galla started off the game by recording saves on all four of UW-Eau Claire's first shots on target — the Falcons managed to keep the WIAC's top scoring team off the board through the first 29 minutes and kept the Blugolds below their average of 3.44 goals per game.
In the 30th minute, Carson Kowalski broke the scoreless draw by scoring his fifth goal of the year — Kowalski scored off a free kick from about 20 yards out. Just before the half, the Blugolds doubled their lead, as Nathan Donovan scored off a penalty kick. The goal is Donovan's 25th of the season, which ranks him as the top goal scorer in the country. The Falcons went into halftime trailing 2-0.
UWRF managed six shots in the second half, compared to one in the first, adding two shots on goal. The Falcons kept the Blugolds off the board in the second half, despite 14 shots by UW-Eau Claire. Galla and Alvaro Boned combined for 14 saves on the day, while Boned's 10 saves tied a career-best for a single game.
The 2-0 loss saw 21 total fouls committed and six total yellow cards.
Following today's WIAC matches, the Falcons have clinched the #3 seed in the WIAC Tournament and will have home field advantage in the first half. UWRF will host UW-Stout at 2 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Smith Stadium at Ramer Field.
