Photo by Elyse Braun

The UWEC and UWW women’s soccer teams begin to line up for the Star Spangled Banner

UW-Eau Claire’s women’s soccer team tied with a score of 0-0 against UW-Whitewater at home on Saturday, Sept. 30. 

The match also served as alumni day for past members of the UW-Eau Claire women’s team. The alumni were recognized on the field during halftime.

The team’s tie against UW-Whitewater leaves their season record at 5-2-3. Leading up to the game, their most recent match ended in a loss against Simpson College at home. Despite the previous loss, the team takes their matches one at a time.

Elise Pinewski, a third-year forward, said the team looks to the future rather than dwelling on the past.

“We start each game with a pretty positive mindset,” Pinewski said. “I think we were bummed about the last loss, but we’re just looking forward to the next game.” 

In the first half of the match, UW-Eau Claire played an offensive game, staying mainly on the Warhawks’ side of the field. The team had a few opportunities to score, one being a missed penalty kick.

Head women’s soccer coach Sean Yengo, who is in his 27th year with the team, said the first half of the game was where the team’s strength lay.

“I felt like in the first half we had a good 25 minutes I thought was good,” Yengo said.

Despite the lack of scoring throughout the match, there were a few close calls. On two separate occasions, the Blugolds shot the ball directly onto the crossbar, where it bounced back onto the field to continue being played.

Outside of the strong start in the first half, UW-Eau Claire played mainly defense throughout the second half of the match. 

“We struggled getting anything going in the second half with the exception of a couple dangerous opportunities,” Yengo said.

A highlight in the second half of the game was the strong save from third-year Kennedy Boll, who saved a UW-Whitewater shot on goal with less than 20 seconds left in the match.

In the end, UW-Eau Claire had 9 shots on goal, while Whitewater had 1.

Pinewski said that there is always more to learn and improve from.

“I’m pretty disappointed. Our team has come a long way this year, and I think we’re capable of a lot more,” Pinewski said. “With that being said, a tie is a tie, it’s not a loss.” 

Yengo shared that though it was a well-played game, it wasn’t the result that they were looking for.

“I give credit to UW-Whitewater. They had a good game plan and played well and they executed it,” Coach Yengo said. “I gotta get back to the drawing board, back to the basics, you know, and get back to Blugold Soccer.”

Regardless of the outcomes of their games, the UW-Eau Claire women’s team and their coaching staff carry themselves onto the next game proudly. 

Yengo, who has dedicated almost three decades to the team, said he is proud of the team he coaches.

“It’s 27 years of my life being the coach here. I love it,” Yengo said. “They’re all talented in their own way. It’s a pleasure and it’s an honor to be their coach.”

Pinewski said she finds expression through the sport and is appreciative of the friendships she has created through playing it.

“We have such incredible individuals on this team and they’re all my best friends,” Pinewski said. “It’s a place where I can compete and also just be myself.”

The UW-Eau Claire women’s soccer team, though disappointed with the tie against UW-Whitewater, carry their positivity and the hope to learn and grow into the next match with grace.

The Blugolds’ next match is at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at home.

Braun can be reached at [email protected].