The Bluejays (3-3-1) faced pressure early as goalkeeper Niyen Ruffin was tested often in the opening minutes. Ruffin turned away three shots in the first nine minutes, but the Blugolds (3-1-1) broke through in the ninth minute when Owen Williams scored from close range off assists from Tate McDermott and Caden Vande Hey. Eau Claire doubled its lead in the 24th minute as Carson Kowalski buried a chance set up by Alek Laroi. Ruffin was called on to make five saves in the first half to keep the deficit at two goals heading into the break.

Elmhurst's best chance in the first half came in the 34th minute, when Andrew Walters fired a shot just over the top. After halftime, the Bluejays earned their lone corner in the 59th minute, leading to a shot from Max Aquino, but the attempt did not find the target. Eau Claire extended its lead in the 69th minute as Owen Backus finished a chance off assists from Alvaro Alanis and McDermott.

The Bluejays finished with two total shots, one apiece from Walters and Aquino. Eau Claire controlled play with 17 shots, including eight on goal. Ruffin finished the evening with five saves in goal for Elmhurst, all in the first half.

The match grew physical down the stretch. Elmhurst picked up three yellow cards, while Walters was issued both a yellow and a red card in the 89th minute, leaving the Bluejays short-handed for the final minutes. Eau Claire was also whistled for two cautions.