Titans Shock Blugolds With First-Half Goals

Becca Blue (Jr. • Kimberly) supplied most of the damage as the UW-Oshkosh women's soccer team recorded a stunning 3-1 victory over UW-Eau Claire on Saturday (Sept. 24) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-Oshkosh, which was winless in its 10 previous meetings (0-9-1 record) with UW-Eau Claire, took control of the Blugolds on two goals by Blue and another by Nicole Strieker (Jr. • Janesville) in the first half.

The Titans (5-2/2-0 WIAC) wasted little time in taking the lead as Blue sailed a 10-yard shot off a pass from Strieker into the net just 3:54 into play. Blue then doubled UW-Oshkosh's advantage in the game's 29th minute (28:51) with a 15-yard shot off a pass from Jessica Erny (Sr. • Wauwatosa). The goals were Blue's third and fourth of the season.

UW-Oshkosh increased its lead to 3-0 on a five-yard shot by Strieker in the 36th minute (35:54) of action. Strieker's third goal of the year came off passes from Erny and Carmen Fiordellisi (Sr. • Howard).

UW-Eau Claire (4-3-1/1-2 WIAC), which went scoreless in the first half despite attempting 11 shots and earning seven corner kicks, cut its deficit to 3-1 in the first minute of the second period. Rachel Nerison registered the Blugolds' goal when she headed a pass from Brittany Burant into the net at the 45:40 mark of the match. UW-Oshkosh was credited with 12 shots and two corner kicks. The Titans were led by the five shots of Blue, three of Erny and two of Amanda Leach (Jr • Waukesha). Goalkeeper Brittany Walder (Sr. • Waukesha) saved eight shots in the complete-game victory. Two other UW-Eau Claire shots were saved by UW-Oshkosh defenders.

UW-Eau Claire finished the match with 20 shots and eight corner kicks. Kara Ryan attempted four shots to lead the Blugolds, while Burant and Paige LeGate launched three each. Goalkeeper Nina Behrenbrinker went the distance and saved six shots.

UW-Oshkosh welcomes Grinnell College (Iowa) to J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium on Sunday (Sept. 25).