NORTHFIELD, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - Despite a 2-0 lead to start the game, the UW-Eau Claire women's soccer team was unable to hold on and fell 3-2 to St. Olaf College (Minn.) in overtime today at Rolf Mellby Field.

The Blugolds (8-3-1) were first to strike with Richelle Shannon (Jr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) scoring off a corner kick from Jamie Schiesel (Jr.-Plymouth, Minn./Armstrong) at 24:32. Eau Claire put up another goal at 26:03 to take the 2-0 lead. This time it was Ali Mater (Jr.-Elm Grove, Wis./Brookfield East) from Rachel Nerison (So.-Maple Grove, Minn.).

St. Olaf (7-3-0) would get one goal back before the intermission as Lindsay Howard scored unassisted at 36:33.

In the second half, St. Olaf was able to tie the game up with just under two minutes remaining, forcing the game into overtime. In the first extra period, with 46 seconds to go, Howard once again found the net to give the Oles the game-winner.

Eau Claire finished the game with 11 shots to the Oles eight. Seven of St. Olaf's shots were on target while eight of the Blugolds were on-goal.

Emily Kidd (So.-St. Paul, Minn./Como Park) was in the net the entire game for Eau Claire and finished with four saves. Samantha Sickbert saved six while playing the whole game for St. Olaf.

The Blugolds are now 9-6 all-time against the Oles and are 2-1 against St. Olaf over the last three years.

Eau Claire will be back in conference play this weekend when they travel to Whitewater for a game against the Warhawks. Action is set to begin at 5 p.m. Saturday.