Nicole Robinson

The key to winning a soccer game is scoring at least one more goal than your opponent, which seems simple enough. However, since one duo joined the UW-Eau Claire women’s soccer team, that task doesn’t seem so simple for its WIAC opponents.

This season’s Blugold goalies, sophomores Liz Weirick and Allie Rivard, are on their way to a record number of shutouts.

“We are very fortunate to have two outstanding goalies,” coach Sean Yengo said. “It’s been a world of difference this year, and they compliment each other very well out on the field. It’s amazing.”

Weirick has been goaltending for 16 years. She came to Eau Claire this year after playing on a scholarship during the 2004 season at UW-Milwaukee.

“I love the physical part of being a goalie,” she said. “We get to go out after the ball, dive and do things none of the other players can do. It’s a huge rush that I don’t think you can get at any other position.”

Yengo said some of Weirick’s strengths are that she is a very vocal player and she commands the attention of all the players on the field.

Rivard also has been playing soccer for most of her life, since she was about 15 years old. Of those years, she said, she has been a goalie for 11.

“I actually started playing goalie because nobody else wanted to be it,” Rivard said. “I eventually developed a taste for it because it’s such a unique position.”

After high school, Rivard came to Eau Claire originally to play basketball but soon realized she missed soccer too much, she said. So, over the summer, she practiced with the team and decided to try out this season.

Yengo said Rivard’s strength lies in her strong leg – which to anybody is visible when she punts the ball – and also her ability to motivate.

Yengo said with their statistics being nearly mirror images of one another, it’s hard to choose a stronger force.

He doesn’t determine who will start the game until minutes before the clock starts, the coach said.

“We don’t decide who will start until the coin flip, if we are going against the wind to begin with, then Allie starts, and if we begin with the wind, we start with Liz,” he said.

The reason behind his choice, Yengo said, is Rivard’s kick is a little stronger and doesn’t need extra carry. He said when that is the only reason to distinguish who starts a game, you know you have a good pair.

The duo has recorded nine shutouts so far this season. The current Blugold record for a single season is 12.

“Oh we don’t need to worry about that,” Weirick said without any hesitation. “That record will be shattered in no time.”

With five games left in the regular season and the WIAC tournament to look forward to, a new record is very possible.

Up until last weekend, the team was ranked ninth in the country for least goals scored against.

When asked why the two make such a great pair, they both said the competition was what keeps them so strong.

“When one of us makes a save, the other one is happy for (her), but at the same time you’re thinking, ‘Man I need to get out there and make one just as good if not better,'” Weirick said.

Rivard added, “It’s healthy competition that makes us strong together.”

Senior teammate Maria Iaizzo said personality has a lot to do with the team’s defensive success.

“They are both some of the most positive people I have ever met,” Iaizzo said. “Whenever I am feeling frustrated on the field, I can always count on a ‘feel good’ comment from one of them. You can ask anyone on the team and they will tell you the same thing.”