By Anna Sveiven, UWEC Sports Information
WAUKESHA, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team hit the road after their first home win in program history to face Carroll College. The UW-Eau Claire Blugolds would fall to the Carroll College Pioneers in a 2 to 1 overtime loss.
In the first half both teams were evenly matched in possession, and also even in shots fouls. Both teams would test each other out with free kicks and corners kicks. Spencer Banks (Fr.-Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) would end the half with a clean sheet going into the second. Both teams would continue to fight for the first goal with the end of the first half ending in a 0 to 0 tie.
Eau Claire would come out hot in the second half putting it on Carroll to answer back. The Blugolds held most of the possession in the final third but couldn't finalize on their opportunities. Unfortunately, the Pioneers would be able to finalize on their opportunities and be the ones to break the tie in the 66th minute. Blugolds would fight hard, ending with a red card from Evan Wilson (Fr. - Apple Valley, MN/Eastview), forcing the Blugolds to play a man down. That wouldn't stop Eau Claire from putting the pressure on Carroll as AJ Johnson (So. - New Richmond, WI) finished the ball in the lower right, past the Pioneer keeper. With the score even after 90 minutes, overtime would be needed to name a victor.
The Blugolds would fight for every minute in over time and would play aggressive on the attack and the defense. Both the Banks and his defense would put of some great game saving saves. But Carroll would get a penalty kick in the final minutes of the first over time. The Pioneers would get the golden goal for a 2 to 1 over lose for the Blugolds.
Banks stopped three of the five shots he faced and holds a record of 3-2-0.
The Blugolds, now with a 4-2-0 record, will find themselves on the road once more heading to take on UW-Superior, Sunday, September 19th for a 2:00 PM kick-off.
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