By Natalia Peterson, UWEC Sports Information
ST. PAUL, Minn. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's soccer team hosted the St. Catherine University Wildcats for their second home game of the season on Wednesday night. After no score for most of the match, the Blugolds conceded the night's only goal late and suffered their first loss of the season, 0-1.
The two teams looked evenly matched for most of the night, the ball traveling up and down the pitch continuously, but neither team had much luck keeping their shots on target. Offensive leader Megan Hansen (Jr. Andover, MN/Anoka) had some good opportunities to score with three of the Blugold's ten shots but unfortunately for her, the Wildcat defense and keeper stood tall all night.
Both teams kept the intensity and physicality high during the entire match, with a player on each team receiving a yellow card. The two teams combined for a total of 20 fouls, but nothing came of the free kicks that followed each penalty. As the clock kept ticking, the eagerness for a score by both teams became increasingly obvious.
The Blugolds utilized the sidelines well, sending their wingers long and getting off multiple well-placed crosses, but no one was able to finish for a score.
The Blugold defense held strong, only allowing 10 shots during the match. The Wildcats would get the last shot in the 86th minute as one of their forwards broke through the Blugold back line to put one behind the UWEC goalkeeper for what would be the lone goal of the game.
Anna Sveiven (Sr. – Blaine, MN/ Centennial) stopped four of the five shots she faced in the 90 minutes she played. Sveiven is now 1-1-1 on the season.
The Blugolds will be at home again Saturday as they host St. Benedict (MN). Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.
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