EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — UW-Eau Claire lost to undefeated #14 UW-La Crosse 4-2 on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon at Simpson Field. The Blugolds held UWL scoreless through a late stretch from 74:07 to 81:47 despite nine attacking actions, but they could not cut into the 4-2 deficit. UWEC scored both of its goals in the first half and was held scoreless after halftime, while UWL finished with a 29-14 advantage in shots and a 13-4 edge in shots on goal.
The Blugolds twice went in front in the first half, with
Mikalyn Hidde scoring in the 16th minute off
Emma Donovan's assist and
Johanna Thompson putting UWEC up 2-1 at 43:15 from
Mia Leszko and
Bella Felegy. Earlier,
Bella Jones kept the match scoreless by saving Aubree Caya's penalty kick in the 12th minute, and UW-Eau Claire generated early chances through
Emma Donovan,
Olivia Lukrafka Varassin and
Magnolia Millar Bruzek. The Blugolds added a pressure stretch midway through the half with two corner kicks and shots from
Sydney Rhodes, Thompson and
Megan Dwyer between 25:27 and 26:55. The Eagles answered with sustained pressure late, tying the match on Gianna Zamborini's goal at 36:42, before Thompson's response was followed by Katelyn Studebaker's equalizer at 44:22 as the half ended 2-2.
UW-Eau Claire conceded two second-half goals, with Jessica Stewart scoring for UWL at 46:25 and again at 60:18 to leave the home side working from a 4-2 deficit. Earlier in the half, the Blugolds earned a corner in the 56th minute and followed with a
Lisette Thurman shot, while Jones made saves at 58:57 and 64:35 to keep the match within that scoreline. UWEC absorbed a stretch of Eagles pressure from 74:07 to 81:47, including multiple shots and corners, with Jones adding saves at 75:59 and 81:47. The Blugolds made a late push with three shots and a corner from 84:15 to 87:34, including Donovan hitting the right woodwork and Hidde forcing a save, but UWL closed out the 4-2 final.
Thompson scored and led UW-Eau Claire with three shots. Hidde also scored, putting both of her shots on goal. Donovan recorded an assist and added two shots. Jones finished with eight saves, making four in each half. The two Blugolds goals were the first time UWL conceded more than one goal in a game all season.
The Blugolds fall to 5-3-4 overall and 0-1-1 in the WIAC. UW-La Crosse moves to 13-0-0 overall and 3-0-0 in WIAC play.
Up next, the Blugolds travel to Menomonie, Wis., to face UW-Stout on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. at Nelson Field.
