WAVERLY, Iowa — UW-Eau Claire played Wartburg to a 2-2 tie Wednesday at Salzwedel Field. The Blugolds scored twice in the first half before the Knights matched it with two goals after halftime. The Blugolds finished with a 16-10 shot advantage, put seven shots on goal to the Knights' six and generated 10 corner kicks to the Knights' two.
The Blugolds built a 2-0 halftime lead behind goals from
Emma Donovan and
Abby Beal. UWEC pressed early, getting a saved shot from
Mikalyn Hidde at 3:01, two corner kicks in the seventh minute and additional chances from
Lisette Thurman, Donovan and
Caroline Curran before breaking through at 15:31 when Donovan scored off assists from
Magnolia Millar Bruzek and
Olivia Lukrafka Varassin. The Blugolds kept the pressure on after the opener with two more corners, an
Anna Lorenzana shot saved by Tulla Jensen and Beal's goal at 20:10 that made it 2-0.
Bella Jones saved Claire Lienhard's shot in the 30th minute, and the Blugolds carried the two-goal advantage into halftime despite a Knights shot off the top of the woodwork in the 41st minute.
UWEC was held scoreless in the second half, and the Knights' goal at 80:15 tied the match at 2-2 before the teams finished even by the same score. Earlier, UW-Eau Claire created chances through Lukrafka Varassin and
Johanna Thompson, but Jones also had to make saves in the 52nd and 53rd minutes before the Knights scored at 53:34 to make it 2-1. The Blugolds answered with pressure around the hour mark, getting shots from Donovan, Hidde and
Bella Felegy along with two corner kicks in less than a minute. After Jones made another save at 79:37 and the Knights tied the match moments later, the Blugolds pushed late with four corner kicks from 81:06 on, including a saved shot by Lukrafka Varassin in the final minute.
Donovan scored one goal and led the Blugolds with three shots, including two on goal. Beal added an unassisted goal on her lone shot attempt. Lukrafka Varassin recorded an assist and put one of her two shots on frame. Jones played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with four saves.
The Blugolds move to 5-2-2 overall while the Knights are 4-3-2 overall.
Up next, UW-Eau Claire travels to Oshkosh, Wis., to face UW-Oshkosh on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026 for their WIAC opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.
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