EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer was back at Simpson Field on Saturday as they hosted the Saint Mary's University (MN) Cardinals. Despite a quick start, the Blugolds scored the deciding goal in the final five minutes to beat the Cardinals, 3-2.
It only took 17 minutes for Eau Claire to gain the first lead. Drew Jeffers (Fr. – Inver Grove Heights, MN/Simley) forced a turnover in the middle of the field, dribbled for ten yards, and rifled a shot in the lower left corner of the net to make it 1-0. The goal tallied as Jeffers first of the season and stood as the lone goal in the half.
The second half started like the first with a Blugold goal just over 15 minutes into the action. Will Heinen (Fr. – Champlin, MN/Champlin Park) received a through from Nathan Donovan (Fr. – Hazel Green, WI/Wahlet Catholic) and drove into the right side of the box. Heinen then took his chance on goal and put the ball past the keeper, inside the far post to make it 2-0 UWEC. Carter Theisfeld (Fr. – Forest Lake, MN) would receive the secondary assist on the goal.
Saint Mary's would not go away quietly as they capitalized on a 30-yard shot and a penalty kick in a span of four minutes. With the game tied at two, both teams were forced to dig deep in the final ten minutes of play.
In the 85th, a free kick from the right of the field near the end line would be presented after a Cardinal foul. With the ball pinballing around in the box, Carter Theisfeld was able to settle it and fire the game winning goal past the goalkeeper with only minutes to spare. UW-Eau Claire held on after the late heroics for their third win at home.
Spencer Banks (Fr. – Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) stopped two of the four shots on goal he faced in his sixth win of the season. Banks is now 6-2-0 on the season
The Blugolds will take some time off and rest before their next game. They will be back at home on Tuesday, October 5th to take on the Augsburg Auggies. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
