With a clear sky and bright sun blazing down on Bollinger Fields, it was hard to ask for a nicer day for the women’s soccer home opener  Saturday.  

Unfortunately, UW-Eau Claire’s opponent stayed true to their school nickname as the College of St. Benedict (Minn.) Blazers trounced the Blugolds 3-0.

St.Benedict started off hot, scoring two goals before halftime, both from junior forward Aly Hoffman.  The Blazers would add one more goal from Grace Vaughn in the 80th minute to seal the deal.  Blugolds head coach Sean Yengo said that these goals could easily had been avoidable.

“We gave up three soft goals today,” Yengo said. “We were defending a lot, and when that happens good teams are going to break through eventually.”

The Blugolds had some chances to score with eight total shots. However, only two of them were on goal.  With a whole season ahead of them and only three games in the books, Yengo is staying positive.

“Good news is these are all preventable mistakes,” Yengo said. “We can get better, were a young team and we knew we were going to have some growing pains to start the season.”

Included in the group of new young talent is freshman goalkeeper Sammie Lefaive.  Lefaive allowed the three goals on the day but also made three saves.  Junior Tara Dennehy led the Blugolds with three shots on the day.  This was the second time in three games that the Blugolds have failed to score a goal, but coach Yengo and his players aren’t discouraged just yet.

“We do look young and inexperienced, but the effort is there,” said Yengo. “Our girls are maintaining a positive attitude and becoming accountable for themselves and know what mistakes they’re making.”

The Blugolds hope to snag their first win during this stretch of four consecutive home games.  They will play at Bollinger Fields for their next three matches, including one at 4 p.m. Wednesday against St. Olaf (Minn.) and at 2 p.m. Saturday against Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.).

“You know eventually were gonna get there,” said Yengo. “It’s just going to take a little patience.”