By Kyle Naber, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- On an overcast Eau Claire afternoon, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) Thursday at Bollinger Field.
The Gusties and Blugolds played a very back and forth match with neither team jumping out at all in the first half as Gustavus Adolphus was the only team to have a shot on goal. The Gusties were actively attacking though, as they had three corner kicks in the half.
After halftime, both teams had to make adjustments. Eau Claire started to go on the attack, by adding five corner kicks and two shots on goal in the second half. The Gusties stayed aggressive though and broke the scoreless game at the 50-minute mark. Eau Claire was never out of it though, continuing to bring the pressure.
In the final minute of the game, Eau Claire would go on the attack in a desperate attempt to send the game into overtime. The Blugolds were successful in tying up the score at one, when Emily Sullivan (Fr. - Medina, MN/Wayzata) scored on an unassisted goal with eight seconds left.
The Blugolds and Gusties then continued the epic match through two overtimes, where both teams remained scoreless. The game ends in a tie, bringing Eau Claire's record to 2-5-1, while the Gusties now stand at 4-1-2.
Head Coach Sean Yengo will be looking for more offense from his team, as the Blugolds are currently averaging 1.13 goals per game. Yengo has to be pleased with how his defense has played so far, keeping Eau Claire in every game. Led by goalie Sammie Lefaive (Jr.-Coon Rapids, MN), the defense has a 1.39 goal average allowed in the first nine games of the season.
Eau Claire will head to the University of Dubuque on Wednesday, September 28th, with kick-off set for 7:00 PM. This will be the Blugolds final tune-up before Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) conference play begins on October 1 at UW-Plattville.
