It was a memorable day that the UW-Eau Claire women’s lacrosse team won’t soon forget. The Blugolds recognized six players on Senior Day while one of their teammates was also celebrated on a milestone day.
Junior Reegan Werner scored five goals, including the 100th of her career, as UW-Eau Claire powered past UW-Stout 22-5 on Saturday afternoon at the Sonnentag Fieldhouse.
“It was amazing to be able to score my 100th goal on a big day for our team,” Werner said. “It is one of the goals that I have been working toward. I have great teammates and I just want to do everything I can to help us win games.”
Werner became the third player in school history to reach the 100-goal plateau as the Blugolds improved to 9-5 overall and 6-2 in WIAC play.
“This senior class has meant everything. They started it all for this program,” UW-Eau Claire coach Michael Rhodovi said. “We are really pleased with the job they’ve done and they played well again in this game.”
The Blue Devils dropped to 7-5, 2-5.
UW-Eau Claire scored the first nine goals of the game, including eight in the opening quarter. Werner and senior Samantha Burns each scored two goals in the first 15 minutes.
“Reegan is an amazing athlete and a great team player,” Rhodovi said. “Even knowing she was one goal away from 100, she was feeding the ball to her teammates. That’s what kind of player Reegan is. She was not being selfish at all.”
UW-Stout battled back with three straight goals to move within 9-3 in the second quarter. But the Blue Devils could draw no closer.
Werner led the Blugolds with seven points, bringing her season total to 59. Sophomore Ellie Fisher contributed five points on two goals and three assists.
Senior Alexie Romanelli had a superb showing with three goals for UW-Eau Claire. Sophomores Victoria Shea and Jess Stiller collected four points apiece for the winning team.
Senior Alexandria Shea had six saves to earn the win for UWEC.
“We just played well as a team,” the coach said. “We are like a family and everyone really supports each other.”
Abigail Todey led the Blue Devils with two goals and two assists.
“We fell away from our game and what we do best,” UW-Stout coach Mikayla Knudson said. “We have to make sure we stay aggressive and play to our strengths. We have a young program. As these players grow and mature, we will keep improving.”
The Blugolds honored their six seniors during a halftime ceremony Saturday. That group includes Burns, Romanelli, Alexandria Shea, Ella Novak, Kaia Hollingsworth and Lydia Wickersham.
“It was a really fun day. It was a blast,” Romanelli said. “It was awesome to be recognized along with the rest of the seniors.”
Werner credited the group she has played the last three seasons with.
“We have an amazing senior class. They are great leaders and teammates,” Werner said. “Team chemistry is everything and we do a lot of team bonding outside of the season.
“These seniors have meant everything to the program. They truly have built Eau Claire lacrosse and put everything into it for future teams to come.”
UW-Eau Claire will host UW-La Crosse in its final regular season WIAC game at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
“We have some tough games coming up,” Werner said. “We just have to stay together as a team and keep working hard.”
