MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's lacrosse team opened their season on Saturday with a late-night matchup against Hamline University. After coming out to a two-score lead in the first three minutes, the Blugold lead never wavered as they earned their first win of the season, 12-9.
Alexie Romanelli (Fr. – Naperville, IL) started things off in the 12th minute by scoring her first collegiate goal to put UW-Eau Claire up by one. Kylah Krause (Jr. – Belleville, IL) was quick to extend the lead just minutes later to put UWEC up by two.
The Blugolds and Pipers traded goals throughout the rest of the first half, but Eau Claire stood strong with a 5-4 lead at intermission.
In the second half, UWEC started on the right foot again with three unanswered goals in the opening 13 minutes of resumed play. Riley Domagala (So. – Bloomington, MN/Jefferson) tallied an assist and a goal during that time span to continue her consistent offensive success. Domagala led the team in 2021 with 19 goals and six assists in her first year on campus.
Hamline answered the Blugold momentum swing with three goals of their own in the final five minutes of the third quarter to cut their deficit to one. Becky Goetsch (Fr. – Maple Grove, MN) scored her first collegiate goal as time expired in the third frame to put UWEC back up by two.
Becky Goetsch led the Blugolds with four goals in her collegiate debut off the five shots on goal she took. With three of the of Goetsch's goals coming in the second half, the Blugolds were able to outscore the Pipers 7-5 to secure the 12-9 victory.
The Blugolds (1-0) will be back on the road on Saturday, March 5th when they travel to Illinois Tech for two weekend games against the Scarlet Hawks. Saturday's contest is scheduled to begin at 10AM at Stuart Field in Chicago, IL.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
