EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - Eight UW-Eau Claire Athletics teams were in action today, five on the road and three at home. Football, men's golf and the cross country teams all opened the season today.
Men's & Women's Cross Country
Alumni/Open Meet
The men's and women's cross country teams kicked off the 2014 season by hosting an Alumni/Open Meet at Lowes Creek County Park. Kelsey Jaeger led the Blugold women by winning the 5k-race with a time of 19:37. Josh Thorson led the men by winning the 4.25-mile race with a time of 21:34, 21 seconds in front of the rest of the field.
Women's Tennis
UW-Eau Claire 7, St. Norbert 2
The women's tennis team picked up two wins at the Western Racquet & Fitness Club, beating Elmhurst College (Ill.) 8-1 Friday night and St. Norbert College 7-2 Saturday afternoon. Two Blugolds were undefeated in singles play this weekend, Paige Kuepers and Sarah Henderson. In doubles, the Blugolds won all three matches each day.
Box Score | Recap | Coach Interview (vs. Elmhurst) | Coach Interview (vs. St. Norbert)
Football
St. Thomas, MN 22, UW-Eau Claire 17
Down 22-3 with just over a quarter remaining, the football team fought back and nearly pulled off the upset at 11th-ranked University of St. Thomas (Minn.) today. After St. Thomas built a 22-3 lead with 10 minutes left in the third quarter, the Blugolds were able to cut into the lead after Jake Neis scored on a two-yard run with 1:08 left in the third quarter. A three-yard touchdown pass from Mark Munger to Cody Gerver with 2:11 left in the game then got the Blugolds within six (22-17). Eau Claire then recovered an on-side kick, getting the ball on its own 41 yard line. But in interception a few plays later ended the Blugolds chances of an upset.
Box Score | Recap | Coach Interview
Women's Soccer
Saint Benedict, MN 3, UW-Eau Claire 0
The women's soccer team was unable to score in their home debut as they fell to the College of Saint Benedict 3-0 today at the Bollinger Fields. Tara Dennehy led the Blugolds with three shots. Sammie Lefaive finished the game with three saves.
Box Score | Recap | Coach Interview | Photos
Women's Volleyball
UW-Eau Claire 3, St. Thomas, MN 1
Augsburg, MN 3, UW-Eau Claire 0
The women's volleyball team split on the final day of the Augsburg Invitational, beating ninth-ranked University of St. Thomas (Minn.) 3-1 before falling to 22nd-ranked Augsburg College (Minn.) 3-0. The Blugolds and Tommies went back and forth most of the match as the final set scores were 25-18, 11-25, 25-23, 25-21. The win over St. Thomas was the Blugolds' first since a 3-2 victory in Eau Claire on Oct. 16, 2007 and was the first win away from Eau Claire since Oct. 28, 2005. After an impressive match against St. Thomas, the Blugolds stumbled against Augsburg, a team they beat 3-0 one week again. The Auggies won 25-11, 25-15, 28-26.
Box Score | Box Score | Coach Interview | Recap
Women's Golf
Wartburg Invitational - 3rd of 17
After round one of the Wartburg Invitational at Centennial Oaks Golf Club in Waverly, Iowa, the women's golf team is in third place out of 17 teams with 311 strokes. Carleton College (Minn.) lead the field with 304 strokes and the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) is in second with 309. Kate Engler currently leads the Blugolds with 74 strokes in third place. Emily Stone is in fifth place with 76 strokes.
Men's Golf
Augsburg Invitational - T-3rd of 18
After round one of the Augsburg Invitational at Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake, Minn., the men's golf team is currently tied for third place out of 18 teams with 299 strokes. Jake Erickson leads the Blugolds after shooting 72 today.