UW-Eau Claire women’s soccer team hosted UW-Stout on Wednesday, Oct. 8, which ended in a 1-1 tie.
During the first half of the game, the Blugolds worked their offense. Fourth-year Sabrina Pickart and first-year Olivia Lukrafka Varissan took three shots at UW-Stout’s goal, all of which were blocked.
Bella Jones, a third-year goalkeeper, said that this was a tough game for them.
“It was a tough battle,” Jones said. “Our team talks a lot about winning battles, and this was one that we could’ve put a little more effort into.”
At the end of the first 45 minutes, the score was tied 0-0.
The Blugolds came back strong from the halftime break, applying pressure and spending most of their time on offense with 15 shots versus UW-Stout’s eight shots in the second half.
Midfielder Varissan and forward Johanna Thompson continued their pressure from the first half, taking two more shots and creating openings for their teammates.
“Honestly, I thought we played really well, and we sometimes were a little panicked,” Jones said. “I made my own errors, we all made our own errors. But, honestly, it was a pretty solid game otherwise.”
Jones defended the Blugold’s goal, blocking two shots that came forward. At the 79-minute mark, Thompson stole the ball from UW-Stout, passing it to her teammate Bella Hidde, who scored the first goal of the game.
At the 81-minute mark, UW-Stout was able to control the ball and score a goal, tying the game. With time running out, the Blugolds took three more shots, but were unable to score another goal before the end of the game.
UW-Eau Claire’s Coach Sean Yengo said that his favorite part of the season so far was seeing how his team supported each other.
“I enjoy all of the moments, to be honest with you,” Yengo said. “Even the moments when we’re struggling, it’s moments you try to figure things out to get it better.”
The Blugolds ended the game with 21 shots, two saves and five corner kicks.
Second-year Caroline Curran said that the team had underestimated UW-Stout.
“I think last year they didn‘t win a single game, and so I feel like we went in and thought that we kind of had it in the bag, and we didn’t,” Curran said. “That showed in the first half.”
After starting the season 1-7-1, the Blugolds have gone 1-1-2 since then, holding opponents to four goals during that time.
“Our coach talks a lot about foundation, and we have foundation,” Jones said. “We just have to keep building upon it. Can’t build a house without foundation.”
The Blugolds’ next game is on Saturday, Oct. 18th at home versus UW-Whitewater.
Becker can be reached at [email protected].
