The University of Wisconsin Superior closed out the regular season with a victory on Friday afternoon, knocking off North Central University 2-1 in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play in Minneapolis.

Senior midfielder Gio Rodriguez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Los Osos H.S.) got the scoring started for the Yellowjackets, netting his sixth of the season at the 11:02 mark of the match-up with an assist from Jon Bucklew (Somerset, Wis./Somerset H.S.). Bucklew continues to rack up points in the final weeks of the regular season, adding an assist on the second goal for UW-Superior (12-7-0, 7-1-0 UMAC) as senior forward Ryan Wisdom (Hayward, Wis./Hayward) scored his second of the year at the 18:49 mark of the half. The Yellowjackets had chances to extend their lead in the first half, but it was North Central (11-6-1, 3-4-1) who broke through in the 40th minute, as Isaac Smith pushed through with an unassisted score that cut the lead to 2-1 headed to halftime.

Senior goalkeeper Ben Wilhelm (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area H.S.) made one save for UWS, while North Central's Evan Hartwig had nine stops on the day. Both men pitched a shutout in the second half. The Yellowjackets out-shot the Rams 23-5 overall in the match and 6-2 in on-target attempts.

UP NEXT
The Yellowjackets will open UMAC Tournament play on Wednesday afternoon hosting the University of Northwestern (Minn.) in the semifinal round at the Yellowjacket Soccer Complex in Superior. Opening kick is set for 1:00 p.m.