UW-Eau Claire men’s soccer headed into a matchup against conference opponent UW-Stevens Point on Oct 26. coming off of a 7-1 victory over UW-Stout a week prior. 

That momentum translated into a 13-goal program record for the Blugolds Saturday night as they shut out the Pointers at home 13-0.

The Blugolds got on the board in the seventh minute off a goal by second-year forward Noah Malcook.

It was his third on for the season and second in two games. The Blugolds proceeded to go on an offensive outburst, scoring three more times before the 20-minute mark.

All three scores came off of the leg of fourth-year forward Nathan Donovan, who increased his goal tally of the season to 24. Donovan has five hat trick performances this season. 

In minute 27, first-year forward Tobias Volkmann secured his first collegiate goal and extended the lead to 5-0. Volkmann discussed the Blugolds’s early success after the game.

“Our physicality helped us body them off the ball and keep it for our possession,” Volkmann said. “That just led to us getting a lot of good opportunities and we finished them.”

The Blugolds then received goals from defenders Cooper Roberts and Elijah Post to take a 7-0 lead heading into halftime.

Head Coach Casey Holm discussed the advantages of winning the time of possession.

“When you have the ball, you’re wearing out the other team,” Holm said. “We take a lot of pride in trying to wear out the other team a lot. Making them shift, making them move, making them chase.”

The second half got off to a quick start as the Blugolds continued their streak of goals off of a Porter Ball penalty kick, lengthening the lead to eight. The Blugolds scored  five more times before the final whistle.

Sam Lynch, Drew Jeffers and Caden Vande Hey scored the final three goals. Vande Hey’s goal was his first collegiate score. Including Vande Hey, four Blugolds had their first goal of the season. 

The Blugolds ended the game with 14 shots and 10 corner kicks. Alongside the 14 shots on the goal, they allowed two shots on their goal and three total shots in 90 minutes.

Heading into the match, Stevens Point had allowed the second fewest goals in the WIAC.

The Pointers hadn’t allowed more than three goals in any match and had eight shutouts on the season. A big catalyst in their defensive scheme is the use of a sweeper. The goal of the sweeper is to play behind the rest of the defensive line and their main objective is to keep the ball from hitting the back of the net.

According to Holm, the Blugolds took their two forwards and pushed them as high as they could into the sweeper. Holm saw how their plan to push into the sweeper created opportunities.

“Created a giant gap in the middle of the field and we exploited it from time and time again,” Holm said. 

Winning in the defensive third for the Blugolds was important for them, as they were able to move the ball and have an advantage offensively. Volkmann talked about the impact their defensive third has on the team.

“We look to transition right away. Every attack usually starts by winning from them,” Volkmann said. “Winning in the defensive third just gives us the opportunity to move forward and score goals.”

The win for the Blugolds was a special moment for the team, as it was Senior Night and Parents Night on Saturday. Holm had high praise for the 11 seniors on the roster which included three early graduates. 

“What they represent to all the other guys, it’s pretty rare,” Holm said. “They’re all remarkable individuals.”

Volkmann also talked highly about the senior group and their leadership.

“Super welcoming, just great guys overall,” Volkmann said. “They always work hard. They’re pushing us to be better.”

The Blugolds have scored 58 times this year, with Seniors accounting for 33 of the scored goals on the season. 10 of the seniors on the team were on the 2021 team in its first season as a program. 

They have been with the program since the start and have transformed the Blugolds into a team ranked seventh in the country and has made the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons.

The Blugolds’s take on UW-Whitewater on the road next at 7 P.M. on Wed Oct. 30 at Robert Fiskum Field.

Benes can be reached at [email protected].