The UW-Eau Claire women's lacrosse team delivered a thrilling performance Wednesday, edging the College of Saint Benedict 15-13 in the first round of the WIAC playoffs at Simpson Field. The victory keeps the Blugolds' championship hopes alive as they prepare to face a formidable opponent.

With an 8-5 record, UW-Eau Claire now advances to host top-seeded Colorado College in the WIAC semifinals on Friday at 3 p.m. at Simpson Field. It's a chance for redemption after the Blugolds suffered a tough 22-2 loss to the Tigers just last Saturday in Colorado Springs—a game that clearly fueled their determination in Wednesday's matchup.

The fourth quarter proved decisive for the Blugolds, who found their rhythm when it mattered most. Jess Stiller ignited the comeback with a player-up goal at the 13:55 mark, assisted by Reegan Werner. Addison Moudry followed suit at 9:16, again set up by Werner, before Ellie Fisher took over with two consecutive goals at 7:37 and 3:19 to seal the win.

Fisher was the star of the show, leading the team with four goals and an assist. Werner also shined with a three-goal, three-assist performance, showcasing the depth and chemistry that has defined this Blugolds squad all season.

Friday's semifinal clash with Colorado College promises to be a high-stakes battle. The Tigers, who dominated the regular-season meeting, will face a UW-Eau Claire team that has proven it can rise to the occasion when it counts.

In other action, the Blugolds baseball team fell to third-ranked UW-Whitewater 6-3 on Monday at Carson Park, dropping to 19-17 overall and 12-12 in league play. Despite the loss, UW-Eau Claire showed flashes of power, with Logan Hesselman crushing a two-run homer in the third inning and Austin Buck adding an RBI single. Relief pitcher Henry Szymanski turned in a solid outing, closing the game with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts. Whitewater, undefeated in conference play at 24-0, remains a dominant force with a 31-3 overall record.