SUPERIOR, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Facing each other for the final time as WIAC rivals, the UW-Eau Claire women's soccer team ended a four-game road trip with a 3-0 victory over UW-Superior here today at the Yellowjacket Soccer Complex.
The win improves the Blugolds' season record to 3-6-1 and 1-1-0 in the WIAC. The Yellowjackets fall to 3-7-1 and 0-2-0 in conference play. The game will be the final match up for Eau Claire and Superior as conference foes as the Yellowjackets will move to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference next season.
The Blugolds are 23-0-0 lifetime against the Yellowjackets. In a series that started in 1993, the Yellowjackets have scored just three goals in 23 games against the Blugolds.
Eau Claire got on the scoreboard early as Sami Matuszak (Fr.-Green Bay, WI/Preble) scored her third goal of the season at 2:36 to gain an early 1-0 lead. Midfielder Lauren Lenz (Fr.-Saint German, WI/Northland Pines) scored her first career goal on a cross at 6:12 extending the lead to 2-0.
In the second half midfielder Ashley Seymour (Jr.-Verona, WI) scored her first goal of the season assisted by Tara Dennehy (Jr.-Eugene, OR/Churchill) at 52:08 pushing the Blugold lead to 3-0.
In her first career start, goalie Emily Byal (So.-Eagle, WI/Palmyra-Eagle) saved one shot to complete the shutout and earn her first career win.
Eau Claire owned the statistical battle outshooting Superior 26-4 including a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal. The Blugolds were called for just two fouls compared to five for the Yellowjackets while also earning a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks.
The Blugolds return home this Saturday, October 4 when they face conference leader and 23rd-ranked UW-Whitewater at Bollinger Fields. Game time is set for a 2:00 p.m. start.
-KCM-
