EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer was back at home on Tuesday afternoon for a matchup against Simpson College. Despite being held scoreless in the first half, UW-Eau Claire opened the flood gates in the second with five goals to earn their fifth straight victory.
 
The opening 45 minutes of play held an even matchup between the two teams as both defenses held strong to keep things scoreless. The Blugolds held the edge in shots during the first half, outshooting the Storm 8-7. Simpson garnered chances from corner kicks but was kept off the scoresheet by Blugolds' backline and goalkeeper. As the first half ended, the physicality of play increased as the two sides combined for 15 fouls in the opening frame.
 
A switch was flipped by UW-Eau Claire during halftime as Noah Malcook (Fr. – Fitchburg, Wis./Oregon) opened the scoring in the 47^th minute with a shot into the top corner of the net to make it 1-0. Telvin Vah (Gr. – Moorhead, Minn.) and Owen Williams (So. – Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) received assist on Malcook's first goal. The Blugolds kept their pressure on as the ended the second half with 13 shot attempts and 8 shots on goal.
 
UW-Eau Claire kept their identity later in the half as Sam Lynch (Sr. – Verona, Wis.) found the bottom right corner off a corner kick to extend the lead to 2-0. Nathan Donovan (Jr. – Hazel Green, Wis./Wahlert Catholic) received the lone assist on Lynch's goal. Donovan helped add to the lead less than ten minutes later as he connected with Ethan Anderson (Sr. – Burnsville, Minn.) to set up Owen Williams with a chance on goal. Williams slotted home the pass from Donovan to extend the UWEC to 3-0 in the 73^rd minute.
 
With ten minutes left in the contest, Alek Laroi (Fr. – Grayslake, Wis./Libertyville) found his second goal of the season off a half volley missile into the top right corner from 24 yards out to extend the lead once again. Carter Thiesfeld (Jr. – Forest Lake, Minn.) recorded his ninth assist of the season on Laroi's stunning goal and currently ranks 2^nd in the nation for assists. Noah Malcook secured his brace on the afternoon in the 82^nd minute with a left footed shot into the top left corner to finalize the 5-0 victory for UWEC. Oge Enwemnwa (Fr. – Madison, Wis./Robert M. Lafollette) recorded his first collegiate assist on Malcook's second goal of the night.
 
Spencer Banks (Jr. – Superior, Wis.) stopped the lone shot he faced during the game to earn his first shutout of the season and is now 4-1-0 on the year.
 
The Blugolds (6-1-2) will be back at home on Thursday, September 28^th when they host Division II Northern Michigan University. Kickoff at Simpson Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.