WHEATON, Ill. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's soccer team got off to a winning start this season by running past Greenville 3-1 on Friday at the Bob Baptista Invitational. Two second-half goals made the difference as the Blugolds won their season opener.
The Blugolds impressed from start to finish, controlling the flow of play and mounting near continuous pressure on the Greenville net. They were rewarded for their persistence when
Anna Lorenzana (Fr. – Farmington, Minn.) pounced on a rebound at the top of the box and slotted it home for the game's opening goal in the 34
th minute. It was the first career goal for the freshman.
Greenville equalized by scoring off a corner kick early in the second half, tying the game at 1-1 in the 53
rd minute. However, it didn't take long for UW-Eau Claire to find the go-ahead strike.
Ava Johnson (So. – Elk River, Minn.) and
Sydney Spencer (Sr. – Hudson, Wis.) broke free for a 2-on-1 against the Greenville goalkeeper in the 65
th minute. Johnson rounded the keeper and laid the ball off to Spencer, who had a wide-open path to an empty net. She knocked it home to put the Blugolds ahead for good.
The Blugolds iced the game away when
Lola Ruff (Sr. – St. Louis Park, Minn.) took a cross from Spencer in the 81
st minute. She scored off a deflected shot that soared over the keeper's head and into the net.
UW-Eau Claire outshot Greenville 13-3. The Panthers' goal was their only shot on target all game.
The Blugolds will wrap up their time at the Bob Baptista Invitational by facing Wheaton, the hosts, on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
