EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - Despite striking first against fifth-ranked Wheaton College (Ill.), the UW-Eau Claire women's soccer team could not hold off the Thunder offense and fell 4-2 today at the Bollinger Fields.

At 7:02, Rachel Nerison (So.-Maple Grove, Minn.) put the ball into the net, unassisted, to give the Blugolds the 1-0 lead. After Wheaton, the 2008 NCAA Division III national runner-up, answered 10 minutes later to tie it up, Nerison once again found the goal at 23:57 to put the Blugolds back on top 2-1. The assist was credited to Megan Hillesheim (Jr.-Ham Lake, Minn./Blaine).

The Thunder could not be silenced, however, and put up three more goals before the end of the first half to make the score 4-2. While the teams combined for 15 shots in the second half, none found the net and the score remained unchanged the rest of the way.

Wheaton (4-1-0) led the game with 15 shots, 12 on-goal, while Eau Claire (1-2-1) finished with 11 shots, including four on-goal. The two goals the Blugolds' scored today were the most a team has recorded against the Thunder this season. Coming into the game, Wheaton had allowed just two goals in four contests.

Emily Kidd (So.-St. Paul, Minn./Como Park) played the entire 90 minutes in-goal for the Blugolds and recorded seven saves. Hillary Barreto was in the net for Wheaton the entire game, recording two saves.

The Blugolds are still looking for their first win against Wheaton. All-time, Eau Claire is 0-9-2 against the Thunder, with the two ties coming last season.

Wednesday the Blugolds will be back in action with a road game against UW-Stout to open conference play. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in Menomonie.