Anna Nelson

The Eau Claire club soccer team suffered a 3-1 loss in their season opener against Div. I Iowa State on Saurday.

Eau Claire took three times as many shots as Iowa State, finishing with 25 shots-on-goal. The lone Blugold goal was scored by Carlos Garcia.

“It was an indirect shot in the box,” said Garcia.

The goal was scored in the first half at the 1 minute, twenty second mark.

“We had a lot of chances with our throw-ins,” said junior Sam Larsen.

Between 200 to 300 fans showed up for the game. The players fully appreciated the response of the fans.

“I want to thank the fans,” Larsen said. “They were awesome, supportive.”

The team was pleased to see the crowd making their support vocal.

“I’m proud of the crowd,” Garcia said.

The players also wanted to send a message to any interested soccer fans.

“If they come, they will see really good soccer,” coach Stan Williams said.

Williams believes there are many reasons why the team did not win this game.

“There were a lot of positives in this game,” he said. “But there’s a lot of work to do in the middle. We allowed them to set up too much to be in any game. We didn’t control the center of the field. That’s where it all starts.”

Larsen believes there is another reason.

“We played too many long balls,” Larsen said.

This was also the first game for the team.

“We’re not used to playing with each other,” Larsen said. “We were nervous and jittery.”

The players are not the only new aspect of the team.

“We have a new coach and a new system,” said junior defender and club president Tim Schoonenberg. “We need to develop our system.”

There are a few things the team needs to work on for their next game.

“We have to work a lot,” Garcia said. “We need to stay more focused.”

But there were positives about this game as well.

“The strikers played good,” said Williams. “Sam Larsen, the right midfielder also played well.”

Schoonenberg thinks there is a difference between varsity teams and club teams.

“We’re not like a varsity team who gets spoon-fed a lot of money,” said Schoonenberg. “Someone has to take the role (of being president). It’s a lot of responsibility but I love this team. This is a legitimate team that needs to be at the university.”