EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team continued their home stand on Monday evening with a matchup against Bethel University. Two goals in each half lifted the Blugolds to their eighth win of the season and seventh shutout of the year.
UW-Eau Claire wasted no time finding the back of the net as
Sean Redmond (Fr. – Lebanon, Tenn.) found the back of the net for the first time in his collegiate career for the game's first tally. Redmond's header into the top corner came from a pass from
Nathan Donovan (Jr. – Hazel Green, Wis./Wahlert Catholic) and a throw in from
Carter Thiesfeld (Jr. – Forest Lake, Minn.). Donovan and Thiesfeld both earned assists on the play.
The Blugolds kept their aggressive pressure up throughout the first half as they recorded seven shots and multiple set pieces. At the 34:51 mark,
Jacob Sampson (Jr. – McFarland, Wis.) found himself with a throw in from the 20-yard line. Sampson stepped back and heaved the ball directly on net. The Bethel goalkeeper jumped up to make the save, but the ball deflected off his hands and bounced into the net behind to increase the UWEC lead to 2-0. Sampson's intuitive tally recorded as his second goal of the year.
After a two-goal lead at halftime, Eau Claire kept the pressure on as they looked to keep their lead. After some time in their own end, the Blugolds pounced on the counterattack in the 51
st minute.
Carter Thiesfeld connected with
Noah Malcook (Fr. – Fitchburg, Wis./Oregon) to break out of the defensive zone. Malcook played a ball over the top of the Bethel defenders to the feet of
Nathan Donovan. While sprinting, Donovan took a couple touches before blasting the ball into the top corner past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Eau Claire sealed their four-goal win in the 60
th minute as
Will Heinen (Jr. – Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) slotted home a pass from
Elijah Post (Fr. – Seattle, Wash./Ballard) for his third goal of the season. Post's primary assist on the final goal recorded as his first collegiate point.
Nathan Donovan also received an assist on the tally for his second helper of the night and eighth assist of the season.
Spencer Banks (Jr. – Superior, Wis.) stopped all four shots he faced to earn the victory and second shutout of the season. Banks is now 5-1-0 on the year.
The Blugolds (8-1-2) will continue their home stand on Wednesday, October 4
th as they host St. Olaf College. Kickoff from Simpson Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.
