EAU CLAIRE, WI (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team continued their home stand on Thursday as they hosted Bethany Lutheran on Simpson Field. An early goal in the first minute and a successful penalty kick in the 80th was just enough to put the Blugolds past the Vikings, 2-1, for their seventh consecutive victory.
Sam Lynch (Jr. – Verona, WI) wasted no time getting Eau Claire the lead as he put home his third goal of the year just 61 seconds in. Lynch currently has the second most goals on the Eau Claire team and is tied for third in points with six. Carter Thiesfeld (So. – Forest Lake, MN) was credited with an assist after his lofted corner was hit perfectly to Lynch on the back post.
As the game went on, both sides found their fair share of physicality. The squads combined for 18 fouls on the evening with cards being dealt to both sides. Bethany Lutheran received a red card in the 73rd minute to go down a man for the remainder of the game.
During those final 17 minutes, Eau Claire found offensive opportunities galore and capitalized on a Viking foul inside the penalty area. Nathan Donovan (So. – Hazel Green, WI/Wahlert Catholic) got the nod for the penalty kick, stepped into his run, and blasted the ball to the right of the goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead. Donovan now leads the Blugolds with six goals on the year and 16 points.
The Vikings would tally their first goal of the evening just five minutes later to bring the Blugold lead back to one but the UWEC defense held strong to spoil any chance of a comeback and solidify the 2-1 win.
Spencer Banks (So. – Superior, WI) stopped two of the three shots he faced for his sixth win of the year. Banks is now 6-0 on the season.
The Blugolds (7-0) will be back at Simpson Field on Saturday, September 17th as they host Carthage College. Kickoff between the Blugolds and Firebirds is scheduled for 2PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
