EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The-UW-Eau Claire soccer team recorded three goals in the first half and went on to defeat the College of St. Benedict (Minn.) 4-1 at the Bollinger Fields today.

The Blugolds (4-2) started off quickly, scoring at 1:50. Allie Stone (Fr.-Madison, Wis./Verona Area) scored the opening goal, the first one of her collegiate career, off a corner kick by Sam Gilbert (So.-Maplewood, Minn./North St. Paul).

Just seven minutes later, Eau Claire found the goal once again. This time Paige LeGate (Fr.-Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port), who scored the Blugolds only goal to defeat UW-Oshkosh yesterday, found the back of the net after an assist from Shyla Gilbertson (So.-Waunakee, Wis.).

At 21:52, LeGate gave the Blugolds an even bigger cushion after scoring her second goal of the game on an assist from Rachel Nerison (Jr.-Maple Grove, Minn.).

Less than 20 minutes into the second half, Gina Williams (So.-Madison, Wis./Verona) scored the Blugolds' fourth and final goal of the game. Ali Mater (Sr.-Elm Grove, Wis./Brookfield East) picked up the assist.

Eau Claire nearly secured the shutout, which would have been its fourth of the year, but the Blazers scored with just over a minute left to play.

In the first half the Blugolds outshot the Blazers 11-4 while they finished with 19 for the game compared to St. Benedict's seven. Fourteen Blugold shots were on-goal while three Blazers' shot were on-goal.

Amanda Hakala (So.-Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) picked up one save for the Blugolds in the first half and was relieved at halftime by Nina Behrenbrinker (Fr.-St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall), who played the remained of the game. Behrenbrinker gave up one goal and stopped one other shot.

Eau Claire is now 5-9-1 all-time against St. Benedict. The win over the Blazers today is the first since 2002.

Up next, Eau Claire will head to St. Paul, Minn. for a game against the University of St. Thomas on Wednesday. Action is set to start at 4 p.m.