EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team hosted their final regular season home game on Sunday as they welcomed the Grinnell College Pioneers to Simpson Field. As the Blugolds battled the Pioneers on the pitch and mother nature's cold temperatures, UWEC suffered their first defeat at home, 4-1.
With the threat of the nation's third leading scorer in Division III, Nathan Donovan (Fr. – Hazel Green, WI/Wahlet Catholic), the visitor's played a very conservative defense to shut down the Blugolds' leading scorer and clogged up the UWEC attack early on.
The limited scoring chances for Eau Claire, led to Grinnell pressure on the other end as the Pioneers outshot the Blugolds 6-4 in the first half. Henry Cladouhos (GC) broke the scoreless tie ten minutes before the half ended to put the Blugolds to a 1-0 deficit before halftime.
The possession seemed to switch in Eau Claire's favor early in the second half, but UW-Eau Claire could not find the back of the net. Late in the frame, Grinnell capitalized on defensive breakdowns in front of the Blugold net as Jasper Yang (GC) and Davis Provost (GC) extended the lead to 3-0.
Will Heinen (Fr. – Champlin, MN) answered under a minute after the third goal as he put away a through ball from Hayden Boich (Fr. – Cottage Grove, MN/Park) to get UWEC on the board.
The fiery response by the Blugolds lasted a mere 60 seconds as Grinnell put away their fourth goal of the game a minute later.
Spencer Banks (Fr. – Stevevns Point, WI/SPASH) stopped nine of the 13 shots he faced and now holds a season record of 10-4-0.
The Blugolds will continue their regular season in Mankato, MN when they travel to Bethany Lutheran on Monday, October 24th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
