Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Brian Miller Senior Forward Amy Smith dribbles the ball past a defender during the final home game against UW-Oshkosh on Saturday. UW-Eau Claire won the game 4-1.

In what was probably the last home game of the year, the UW-Eau Claire women's soccer team wanted to make sure the seniors went out with a bang against UW-Oshkosh.

They did just that, defeating the Titans by a score of 4-1.

"It was very important, and (the seniors) just kept on telling us this might be the last chance they ever get to play on our home field," freshman Rachel Nerison said. "And that just really hit home."

After struggling to get on the board early in the previous game, the Blugolds wanted to make sure they came out hard and fast.

"You've got to get out quickly - it just really helps to set the tempo," head coach Sean Yengo said. "It takes the pressure off of us and it puts them on their heels."

The Blugolds got out of the gate very quickly as they scored two goals in the first 10 minutes.

The first score of the game came from senior Amy Smith and was quickly followed up with a goal by Nerison.

"We definitely got off to a strong start, but then things started to slow down," Smith said.

Just a few minutes after the second goal, Smith made a pass to sophomore Jamie Schiesel who forced the goalkeeper to make a diving save to the far post. Eau Claire struggled to put away any more goals for the next 20 minutes even though they had several scoring opportunities.

"We should have been up five or six to nothing at halftime," Smith said.

In the 31st minute Oshkosh was able to get on the board with a deep shot that left senior goalkeeper Allie Rivard with no chance to make a save.

However, the Blugolds answered right away as senior Liz Kooistra was able to head a ball down to her feet and place the ball into the far corner.

With a 3-1 lead at the half, Eau Claire appeared to be fully in control of the game.

Oshkosh came out of the break fired up and eager to score, but the Blugolds continued to show their superior skill and will to win. Eau Claire strung together many passes and was always the first to any open ball.

Although the Blugolds had trouble finding the back of the net, it was obvious which team had more power as Eau Claire dominated the time of possession.

Continued...

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