MOORHEAD, Minn. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team played the first of their back-to-back games in Moorhead, MN on Friday. The Blugolds faced the Concordia-Moorhead (MN) Cobbers in an afternoon affair. A strong first half propelled UWEC to a 2-1 victory over Concordia.
Both teams entered a transition style of play in the first 20-minutes with each side seeing plenty of attack and defensive possession. At the 27th minute, Eau Claire would win a corner and convert on the set piece. Matt Folden (Marine on St. Croix, MN/Stillwater) flew to the front post and using his left foot, flicked the ball into the corner for the 1-0 lead. The opening goal was Folden's second of the year.
The Blugold offense continued their attack, eventually earning themselves a penalty kick. Nathan Donovan (Fr. – Hazel Green, WI/Wahlert Catholic) stepped up to the spot and slotted home the penalty to increase the lead to 2-0.
The lead would hold all the way till halftime.
Despite giving up a goal in the first 30-seconds of the second half, the Blugold defense stood strong allowing only allowing the single goal off six shots.
Spencer Banks (Fr. – Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) played the first half and stopped all four shots he faced. Jakob Leonard (Fr. – Cottage Grove, MN/Park) came in at halftime and had limited work with zero shots on goal. Banks earned the afternoon win and is now 2-1-0.
The Blugolds will stay the night in Moorhead, MN and play Nebraska-Wesleyan (NE) tomorrow, September 11th at 1PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
