Janie Boschma

The first conference game of the season was no problem for the soccer team as they scored a season-high four goals against UW-La Crosse on Saturday.

The Blugolds improved their record to 6-0-1 overall and 1-0 in the WIAC.

Eau Claire jumped out to a quick lead, scoring 11 minutes into the game. Junior Liz Kooistra scored the goal off an assist from junior Jessica Millard.

That was the only score of the first half, but the Blugolds broke out in the second half, scoring two goals in two minutes. The first came thanks to junior Amy Smith, with an assist from her sister, junior Allison Smith. Less than two minutes later, junior Allison Muer scored, with an assist from freshman Gina Christenbury.

Coach Sean Yengo attributed the Blugold’s ability to wear down La Crosse on the depth of their bench.

“Our bench and our fitness are exceptional,” he said.

The Blugolds were able to tack on one more goal late in the game, scored by Christenbury and assisted by Amy Smith.

The Blugolds had 14 shots on goal, compared to La Crosse’s one.

“We try to put as much pressure on the ball as we can,” Yengo said.

The only trouble Eau Claire ran into defensively came in the second half. La Crosse threatened a goal, but freshman Brittany Burant cleared the ball out to end the threat.

“Brittany’s clear-off was amazing,” senior Anna Talbot said.

The win was an important one for the Blugolds.

“It was our first conference game,” senior Abby Ofstedahl said. “We wanted to send a message to the rest of the conference.”

Freshman Christine Schounard had to leave the game due to an injury in the first half. Yengo said it was a contusion on her shin, but he expects she will be fine.

Saturday was Parents’ Day and on Sunday the Blugolds played an alumni game.

“It’s a fun type of game, where alumni come back and play a game,” Talbot said. “I think we had about 15 alumni coming back this year.”

The Blugolds have another home game against Carleton (Minn.) on Wednesday before traveling to UW-Whitewater this weekend for their second conference game. The team is taking every game seriously.

“We want to make sure we are playing the whole game,” Ofstedahl said. “We want to be playing hard the whole 90 minutes.”