EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — UW-Eau Claire defeated Dubuque 2-0 on Friday at Simpson Field. The Blugolds protected their lead during a second-half stretch from 68:27 to 79:44, handling seven attacking actions from the Spartans without conceding. The Blugolds scored once in each half, put seven of their nine shots on goal and got five saves in the shutout.
Johanna Thompson delivered the breakthrough for the Blugolds at 42:07, scoring the half's only goal to put the home side ahead 1-0. Earlier, the Blugolds created the first clear chances, with
Mikalyn Hidde hitting the top woodwork at 6:01 and
Olivia Lukrafka Varassin forcing a save from Samantha Jurgens at 8:09. The Spartans pushed back through the middle of the half, earning five corner kicks from 22:08 to 33:49, but
Bella Jones saved Ava Hortillosa's 26:31 shot and the Blugolds kept the match scoreless through that pressure. Thompson's goal sent the Blugolds into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Jayda Swopes scored in the 67th minute as the Blugolds stretched their lead to 2-0, providing the only goal of the second half. Earlier, the Blugolds absorbed Spartans pressure while ahead 1-0, with Jones making saves in the 52nd, 55th and 58th minutes and the defense getting through a stretch that included a Spartans corner kick and several shots. After Swopes' goal, the Blugolds again held firm through another Spartans push from 68:27 to 79:44, including two corner kicks and multiple shots, while Jones added a save in the 72nd minute. The Blugolds created late chances of their own, with Thompson putting two shots on goal and
Mia Leszko adding another in the final six minutes, before closing out the half and the 2-0 win.
Thompson scored the game-winning goal and put all three of her shots on goal. Swopes added a goal on her lone shot. Jones made five saves over 90 minutes and finished with a shutout.
The Blugolds advance to 5-2-1 overall while the Spartans fall to 2-4-2 overall.
Up next, the UW-Eau Claire soccer team travels to Waverly, Iowa, to face Wartburg College on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Salzwedel Field.
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