By Anna Sveiven, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team stays at Simpson Field for a three-game home stretch, starting off with the Ripon College Redhawks. Eau Claire opened their home game series with a 4 to 0 win.
In the first half Eau Claire would strike early in the 5th minute Carter Thiesfeld (Fr.-Forest Lake, MN/Forest Lake) would find the back of Ripon's net with assists coming from Evan Wilson (Fr.-Apple Valley, MN/Eastview) and Hayden Boich (Fr.-Cottage Grove, MN/Park). The Blugolds would put the pressure on the Redhawks following the goal with a round of corner kicks. The Blugolds would continue their hard pressure, building in the middle third of field. In the 22nd minute the ball would go from Wilson to AJ Johnson (So.-New Richmond, WI/New Richmond) and find Nathan Donovan (Fr.-Hazel Green, WI/Wahlert Catholic) for his 10th goal of the regular season. It wouldn't take long for Eau Claire to earn another corner kick allowing Wilson to blast the ball into the net for an unassisted goal in the 34th minute, giving the Blugolds a 3 to 0 lead at the end of the first half.
Eau Claire would come into the second half ready to play as Jacob Sampson (Fr.-McFarland, WI/McFarland) would assist Donovan for his 11th career goal in just under the 1st minute of the second half, earning the Blugolds a 4 to 0 win.
Spencer Banks (Fr.-Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) and Mark Belknap (Fr.-Anoka, MN/Anoka) would have a clean sheet in the back with the teams first shutout of the season.
Eau Claire, 6-2-0 stay at home for game two of three against St. Mary's (Minn) for Saturday match, set to start at 6:00 PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
