By Anna Sveiven, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team faced off against Finlandia University for a mid-week matchup at Simpson Field. The Blugolds held nothing back with a 11 to 0 victory.
Eau Claire would start the first half with complete control over the possession. Carter Thiesfeld (Fr.- Forest Lake, MN/Forest Lake) would open the scoring for Blugolds early in the 4th minute of the game with an assist from Nathan Donovan (Fr. - Hazel Green, WI/Wahlert Catholic). Eau Claire would fire back quickly in the 5th minute with Matt Folden (Fr.-Marine on Saint Croix, MN/Stillwater) finding the Drew Jeffers (Fr.-Inver Grove Heights, MN/Simley) off a free kick. The scoring wouldn't end there in the first half. Jeffers would find Donovan for his first of the night and the teams third on the scoreboard in the 18th minute of the game. Donovan would find success again in the final third with an assist coming from Will Heinen (Fr.- Champlin, MN/Champlin) for a 4 to 0 lead in just the 30th minute. There would be no rest for Donovan with a third goal just minutes after the last, scoring his and the programs first Hat Trick. Another quick goal would come from Oscar Lagravere (Fr.-Woodbury, MN/Eastridge) with an assist from Evan Wilson (Fr.- Apple Valley, MN/Eastview). Donavan would top off the scoring in the first half with his 4th goal, giving the Blugolds the 7 to 0 lead ending the first half.
Eau Claire would use their bench in the second half and open the half with Tom Puglisi (Jr.-Woodbury, MN/Woodbury) putting away a penalty kick in the 51st minute. Another goal follows in the 60th minute scored by Veeti Penttinen (Fr.-Helsinki, Finland/Lauttasaaren yhteiskoulu) with the assist from Jake Hicks (Fr.-St. Louis, MO/Kirkwood) and Eau Claire's 9th goal of the night. Michael Tushar (Fr.-Oshkosh, WI/Lourdes Academy) would find the pass from Will Miers (Fr.-Columbus, MN/Centennial) for another tally for the Blugolds. The score would round out for the evening with a pass coming from Daniel Muths (Fr.-Stillwater, MN/Stillwater) to Penttinen for the 11th and final goal and the 11 to 0 win.
Both Jakob Leonard (Fr.-Cottage Grove, MN/Park) and Mark Belknap (Fr. - Anoka, MN) would keep their net clean for the third shutout for the Blugolds.
The Blugolds, 12-3, stay at Simpson Field for game two of three at home against Grinnell College on Sunday, October 24th for a 1 PM match.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
