Women keep climbing rankings, 13-0 victory to UW-Superior
Holding fourth position of 25 teams, soccer players look to stay strong
Frank Pellegrino
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Sports
The UW-Eau Claire women's soccer team showed why soccer experts recently moved them up to the fourth ranked team in the country.
After being bumped up in the rankings earlier in the day, the Blugolds came out with a punishing victory yesterday against UW-Superior. Eau Claire, who was previously unbeaten against Superior, now holds a 17-0 record all-time against the conference foe.
The Blugolds came out strong in the game right away, and started imposing their will against Superior quickly after the kick-off.
"Offensively, we had an awesome game. We were pretty much able to do whatever we wanted to do," senior Allie Rivard said.
The Blugolds, who showed more talent, could have come out with a poor attitude and just tried using their greater skill set to win. However, their mental state is almost as impressive as their play on the field.
"We just went into Superior trying to play our hardest. We treat every game like it's the most important game of the season," senior Ali Smith said.
Smith and her teammates' attitudes were illustrated, as the Blugolds held a commanding lead at half time, leaving the game all but over.
As the second half began, the Blugolds could have lost their focus in such a one sided affair, but they continued to control the game.
"I think we played even better in the second half," Senior Cassie Peeters said.
Rivard said it was hard to focus in the second half, but added that the team works hard together to stay on task.
"It's all about communicating," Rivard said. "Doing all of the little things, and making sure you're covering for each other."
The Blugolds' strong play in the second half showed on the scoreboard as Eau Claire ultimately came up with a 13-0 win.
After such a lopsided victory, it would be easy for the Blugolds to start looking ahead in the season to games against stronger teams. However, the team has remained on task and refuses to look ahead to games like the one against 10th ranked UW-Stevens Point.
"Obviously [Stevens] Point is going to be a big game," Rivard said. "But right now we're just looking at La Crosse on Saturday, they are also 2-0 [in the conference]. We're trying not to look too far ahead."
If the Blugolds can stay on task, they could be in for a special year with such a skilled group of players.
"I think this is our best team yet. We have really great team chemistry," said Peeters, who has been on the team for four years.
An impressive comment, considering Peeters has been on previous soccer teams that have won the WIAC conference title two separate times, and has gone far in the national tournament.
Smith, who was also on those same talented Eau Claire teams agreed with the comment.
"We have our core group of seniors," Smith said. "I do think that we are at our strongest point, just because we keep getting better and better."
After being bumped up in the rankings earlier in the day, the Blugolds came out with a punishing victory yesterday against UW-Superior. Eau Claire, who was previously unbeaten against Superior, now holds a 17-0 record all-time against the conference foe.
The Blugolds came out strong in the game right away, and started imposing their will against Superior quickly after the kick-off.
"Offensively, we had an awesome game. We were pretty much able to do whatever we wanted to do," senior Allie Rivard said.
The Blugolds, who showed more talent, could have come out with a poor attitude and just tried using their greater skill set to win. However, their mental state is almost as impressive as their play on the field.
"We just went into Superior trying to play our hardest. We treat every game like it's the most important game of the season," senior Ali Smith said.
Smith and her teammates' attitudes were illustrated, as the Blugolds held a commanding lead at half time, leaving the game all but over.
As the second half began, the Blugolds could have lost their focus in such a one sided affair, but they continued to control the game.
"I think we played even better in the second half," Senior Cassie Peeters said.
Rivard said it was hard to focus in the second half, but added that the team works hard together to stay on task.
"It's all about communicating," Rivard said. "Doing all of the little things, and making sure you're covering for each other."
The Blugolds' strong play in the second half showed on the scoreboard as Eau Claire ultimately came up with a 13-0 win.
After such a lopsided victory, it would be easy for the Blugolds to start looking ahead in the season to games against stronger teams. However, the team has remained on task and refuses to look ahead to games like the one against 10th ranked UW-Stevens Point.
"Obviously [Stevens] Point is going to be a big game," Rivard said. "But right now we're just looking at La Crosse on Saturday, they are also 2-0 [in the conference]. We're trying not to look too far ahead."
If the Blugolds can stay on task, they could be in for a special year with such a skilled group of players.
"I think this is our best team yet. We have really great team chemistry," said Peeters, who has been on the team for four years.
An impressive comment, considering Peeters has been on previous soccer teams that have won the WIAC conference title two separate times, and has gone far in the national tournament.
Smith, who was also on those same talented Eau Claire teams agreed with the comment.
"We have our core group of seniors," Smith said. "I do think that we are at our strongest point, just because we keep getting better and better."
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