EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire women's soccer team opened its conference schedule Wednesday evening, welcoming I-94 foe UW-Stout to Bollinger Field.

Still in search of their first win of the year, the WIAC opener was just what the Blugolds needed as they shutout the Blue Devils 2-0 to get that first win under their belt.

The Blugolds jumped out to an early lead in the 12^th minute when Tara Dennehy (Fr.-Eugene, Ore./Churchill) put home a nice pass from Gina Williams (Sr.-Madison, Wis./Verona). It was the first goal of Dennehy's collegiate career.

At the end of the first half, the Blugolds held a 10-6 edge in shots and also held the 1-0 lead. Both teams came out strong in the second half as they continued to battle the cool, rainy conditions.

In the 59^th minute, Williams struck again, this time scoring her first goal of the season to give the Blugolds an insurance goal. Katie Richter (Sr.-Waukesha, Wis./ West) assisted on the goal for her first assist of the year.

Megan Collins was given a yellow card for the Blue Devils in the 61^st minute. After that, UW-Eau Claire dominated most of the play, as UW-Stout could not muster many chances offensively.

Robbie Shelby made six saves in goal for the Blue Devils but picked up her second loss of the year. Nina Behrenbrinker (Jr.-St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) picked up her first win of the year, improving her record to 1-3-1 while making two saves in the shutout victory.

The Blugolds will look to keep things rolling again on Saturday in another conference match as they host UW-Whitewater. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Bollinger Field.

-JM-