At 7 p.m. on Oct.14, the women’s soccer team took on UW-Oshkosh in a WIAC matchup.

The only goal of the game was scored in the second half by fifth-year forward Megan Hansen at 61:50 in the game.

Sophie Hubbard, a fourth-year rehabilitation science major and a midfielder for the Blugolds, said her favorite moment of the game was the goal being scored.

“I had my hands up before it even went in,” Hubbard said. “This game everyone worked really hard and goals didn’t come easy so it felt really good to get it in and to know we had the advantage finally.” 

This is the team’s second conference win of the season.

According to Blugold Athletics, these teams have gone back and forth several times over the years with UW-Oshkosh winning in 2013-2017, 2019 and 2021. Eau Claire won in 2018, twice in 2022 and once so far this year.

Keenedy Boll is a third-year marketing and management major who is a goalie for the team. She played the whole game making five saves for the team.

“It feels good. We have had a long time coming for this game, a week off and a lot of practices to prepare ourselves,” Boll said. “Had to make a lot more saves than I was hoping to but on the flip side we got a lot of shots off which was really nice.”

This game was also the team’s Youth Day. Kids came out during halftime to kick the ball around and try to score some goals on Blu the Blugold.

At the end of the game, the kids came onto the field and got autographs from all of the UW-Eau Claire players.

“I coach for Eau Claire United so I know a lot of the kids around and it is really cool having them come out and support us even when we are a lot older than them,” Hubbard said.

This game was also Coach Sean Yengo’s 300th career win. Blugold Athletics says that he got his first win back in 1997 and this is his 27th year coaching the team. These wins make him second in the WIAC for career victories.

“It was really special to see him get emotional,” Boll said.

His overall career record is 300 wins, 175 losses and 50 ties.

“I’m so proud of this team, so excited. It is about them for sure,” Yengo said.

With the next game being in three days Yengo said the team will work on rest, recovery and scoring goals.

The Blugolds next home game is on Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. vs Bethel University.

“Come out and support our team. This has been the best season we have had in a while so to get some more fans and students out here would be awesome,” Boll said. “I think we show a lot of support to the school in itself so we would love to see some more people out here.”

For more information check out the women’s soccer page on Blugold Athletics.

Geske can be reached at [email protected].