ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team was back on the road Wednesday for a nonconference game against Bethel University. Nathan Donovan (Sr. Hazel Green, Wis./Wahlert Catholic) recorded his second straight hat trick within a week to lead the Blugolds to a 5-1 victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• It took UW-Eau Claire less than two minutes to find the first tally of the game as Tate McDermott (Fr. – Grimes, Iowa) drew a penalty kick after getting fouled in the box. Nathan Donovan stepped up to the penalty spot and capitalized on the early opportunity for an early lead.
• Nathan Donovan found his second goal of the afternoon just eight minutes later with a header into the bottom right corner off a cross from midfield from Alek Laroi (So. – Grayslake, Ill.). Laroi earned the primary assist to secure Donovan's brace and Andrew Phillips (So. – Libertyville, Ill.) was given the secondary assist.
• With a 2-0 lead coming out of halftime, Carter Thiesfeld (Sr. – Forest Lake, Minn.) found Eau Claire's third goal on a streaking run to the back post after a cross from Owen Williams (Jr. – Stevens Point, Wis.) came from the corner.
• Nathan Donovan completed his hat trick in the 51^st minute after finding space alone in the box and slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Noah Malcook (So. – Fitchburg, Wis.) and Tate McDermott were credited with the assists for their build up through midfield to find Donovan in the final third.
• Elijah Post (Seattle, Wash.) found the Blugolds' final tally of the evening using his speed to break past a defender and slide the ball past the Bethel goalkeeper.
• Mark Belknap (Sr. – Anoka, Minn.) recorded the majority of the minutes for UW-Eau Claire as all four goalkeepers found minutes. Belknap stopped all three shots he faced to earn his third win of the season. Belknap is now 3-0-0 on the year.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Blugolds (4-0-1) will return home on Saturday, September 14^th when UW-Superior comes to the Chippewa Valley. Kick off from Simpson Field is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugolds.com or on our app, Blugold Sports, and on social media on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
  Read Full Article