HANCOCK, MI (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team took to the road on Friday as they traveled across the state and into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a matchup against the Finlandia University Lions. After scoring three goals in the first half, UW-Eau Claire erupted for five goals in the second half to secure an 8-0 victory.
Nathan Donovan (So. – Hazel Green, WI/Wahlert Catholic) broke his own program records for most goals and most points in a single game with five goals and one assist during the afternoon contest. Donovan wasted no time finding the game's first tally with his first goal coming in the 6th minute. Carter Thiesfeld (So. – Forest Lake, MN) tallied his first of assists of the day to help UWEC gain a 1-0 lead. Thiesfeld also made the history books with a single game record of 6 assists.
Donovan added two more goals in the first half to earn his first hat trick of the year and third of his career. Drew Jeffers (So. – Inver Grove Heights, MN/Simley) and Porter Ball (Jr. – Minneapolis, MN/Academy of Holy Angels) each received assists on the final two goals of the half.
After halftime, Donovan and Scott Hanson (Fr. – Woodbury, MN) would strike in the 57th and 60th minutes to extend the lead to 5-0. Hanson's tally was his first goal of his career and was assisted by Thiesfeld.
Hanson and the Blugolds didn't stop there as he recorded his second goal of his career in the 66th minute to make it 6-0 in favor of UWEC. Donovan added his fifth goal of the day a mere minute later and Daniel Muths (So. – Stillwater, MN) put home his first collegiate goal on a penalty kick attempt in the 85th minute to seal the game 8-0.
Mark Belknap (So. – Anoka, MN) earned the win and the shutout after facing zero shots on goal. Belknap is now 3-0 on the year.
The Blugolds (14-2) will take the weekend off before hitting the road again on Tuesday, October 18th when they travel to Collegeville, MN to face Saint John's (MN) University. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
