DULUTH, Minn. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team began the 2023 season on Friday afternoon with the first of four road games up at the College of St. Scholastica. After a dominant first half, UW-Eau Claire secured their first win of the season as nine Blugolds found themselves on the score sheet in the 7-1 victory.
UWEC wasted no time finding their first goal of the 2023 campaign as
Sam Lynch (Sr. – Verona, Wis.) put home a in the third minute to take an early 1-0. The Blugolds kept their aggressive offense going in the first half as
Nathan Donovan (Jr. – Hazel Green, Wis./Wahlert Catholic) received a pass from
Alek Laroi (Fr. – Grayslake, Wis./Libertyville) at the top of the box and netted his first tally of the season into the bottom right corner to extend the UWEC lead to 2-0.
UW-Eau Claire kept their momentum going after halftime as
Jacob Sampson (Jr. – McFarland, Wis.) found a rebound at the top of the box and put home his first goal of the year on a first touch volley to extend the lead to 3-0. The St. Scholastica Saints found their only goal of the afternoon in the 55
th minute on a cross from out wide found a Saint player on the backdoor, making it 3-1.
Carter Thiesfeld (Jr. – Forest Lake, Minn.) had himself a day with _ points. After assisting on the first three goals, Theisfeld forced a turnover in the Scholastica box and hit a missile into the top left corner to regain a three-goal lead. Less than a minute later,
Noah Malcook (Fr. – Fitchburg, Wis./Oregon) collected his first collegiate point as he sent a pinpoint cross from outside to find
Will Heinen (Jr. – Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) on the back door. Heinen's half-volley into the back of the net extended the Blugold lead to 5-1.
With frustrations rising for the Saints,
Nathan Donovan was taken down inside the box and was awarded a penalty kick. Donovan buried his shot from the spot into the bottom right corner for his second goal of the afternoon. A second penalty kick was awarded minutes later after the Saints goalkeeper was called for a handball outside of the box.
Owen Williams (So. – Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) followed Donovan's success and slotted his first goal of the season from the penalty spot into the bottom right corner, making it 7-1.
Spencer Banks (Jr. – Superior, Wis.) stopped three of the four shots he faced in the 57 minutes he played to earn his first victory of the year.
Josh Bates (Jr. – Mahtomedi, Minn.) saved the only shot he faced in during his 17 minutes of play.
Mark Belknap (Jr. – Anoka, Minn.) played 16 minutes and did not face a single shot on goal.
The Blugolds (1-0) will head continue their beginning road stretch on Sunday, September 3
rd when they travel to Superior, Wis. to face the UW-Superior Yellowjackets. Kickoff from NBC Spartan Sports Complex is scheduled for 5 p.m.
