EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - The UW-Eau Claire soccer team shutout opponent Nebraska Wesleyan today with an 8-0 victory over the Prairie Wolves at the Bollinger Fields.

The undefeated Blugolds, ranked 10th in the nation, advance to an overall record of 5-0-1 while the Prairie Wolves drop to 0-4-1 on the season.

The Blugolds established a commanding 5-0 lead in the first half, scoring four of the goals in the first 17 minutes of the contest. Amy Smith (Sr.-Bloomington, Minn./Thomas Jefferson) opened up the scoring just after a minute into the game. She scored two more goals in the next 16 minutes to record a hat-trick. Smith now has eight goals on the season.

Rachel Nerison (Fr.-Maple Grove, Minn.) also recorded a hat-trick, scoring one goal in the first half and two in the second, making her season goal total six.

Sam Krueger (Jr.-Elkhorn, Wis.) picked up her first goal of the season in the first half of the game, while Shannon Conlin (Jr.- Reedsburg, Wis.) delivered the final goal of the contest at 87:55.

The Blugolds out-shot Nebraska Wesleyan 15-0 in the first half alone, finishing the game with 33 shots total, 22 being on goal. Eau Claire held the Prairie Wolves to a single shot the entire game.

For Eau Claire, three goalkeepers saw action in the contest. Allie Rivard (Sr.-Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) started the game and picked up the win as she played the entire first half. Emily Kidd (Fr.-St. Paul, Minn./Como Park) came into the game to start the second half, and Cameron Stoeger (Fr.-Milwaukee, Wis./Brown Deer) played in goal the final 16:15, making her appearance of the season.

The Blugolds' next stop will be at the University of Chicago Friday, followed by a trip to defending national champion Wheaton College Saturday. The game Friday begins at 4 p.m., while the contest Sturday is slated for 7 p.m.

Eau Claire-Nebraska Wesleyan Box Score

-KS-