EAU CLAIRE - The sixth-ranked UW-Eau Claire soccer team won its ninth straight game and had its seventh shutout of the season as it defeated Hamline University (MN) today 2-0 at the Bollinger Fields.

The win improves the Blugolds to an overall record of 9-0-0. The nine straight wins are the most since the 1998 season when UWEC had 12 straight wins. Last year, the Blugolds went 10 straight matches without a loss. The loss drops Hamline to a record of 1-3-1.

After a scoreless first half in which the Blugolds out shot Hamline 11-1, the Blugolds finally got on the scoreboard when Maria Iaizzo (Sr.-White Bear Lake, MN) scored her seventh goal of the season at the 53:20 mark. Amy Smith (So.-Bloomington, MN/Jefferson) and Allison Muer (So.-Minneapolis, MN/South) assisted on the goal.

The Blugolds kept the pressure on Hamline and at the 76th minute Anna Talbot (Jr.-Apple Valley, MN/Eastview) struck the ball just out of the reach of the goalkeeper and into the top of the net as the Blugolds went up 2-0. Jessica Millard (So.-Madison, WI/La Follette) assisted on the goal. The Blugolds were in control the rest of the way and went onto win 2-0.

Goalkeeper Liz Weirick (Jr.-Kenosha, WI/Tremper) had the only save for the Blugolds and improves to 9-0 this season. The Blugolds are halfway home to the school record for shutouts in a season with seven. The team set the record last year with 14 shutouts.

The Blugolds improve to 3-0 all-time against Hamline and have not allowed a goal in all three meetings. The Blugolds have outscored Hamline 10-0 in those three contests.

The Blugolds next contest will be next Saturday when they host UW-Stevens Point. The match gets underway at 1 p.m. at the Bollinger Fields.

Eau Claire-Hamline Box Score

- JR -