Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Brian Miller Senior Cassie Peeters helps defend the goal during Saturday's game against UW-Whitewater. UW-Eau Claire won 3-1 continuing their undefeated streak at home.

The UW-Eau Claire women's soccer team continued their solid play and picked up two more victories this weekend against UW-Whitewater and Carleton College (Minn.).

In Saturday's game against Whitewater both teams struggled to gain control as the game began. The ball moved back and forth from each side for the first 10 minutes.

The Blugolds nearly got on the board in the 10th minute as senior Liz Kooistra had a great cross that found a teammate's foot and barely missed the net.

Just two minutes later on a very similar play, Kooistra was able to cross the ball again. This time she found sophomore Gina Christenbury in the goal box, who was able to put the ball in the back of the goal.

"Elizabeth Kooistra always beats players down the sideline," Christenbury said. "I knew if I was just centrally located I would have a good opportunity."

In the 15th minute, senior Amy Smith was able to chase down a pass from freshman Alyssa Walker for a breakaway opportunity. Smith dribbled the ball a few times and calmly put it into the corner for Eau Claire's second goal of the game.

In the 37th minute Whitewater was able to get on the scoreboard on a deep shot that was able to skid past senior goalkeeper Allie Rivard.

Although Eau Claire had a 2-1 lead at halftime, head coach Sean Yengo wasn't happy with the way his team was performing.

"We weren't really pleased with our first 45 minutes," Yengo said. "There was a lack of intensity and effort, and we just need to come out stronger."

After the half, Whitewater came out with a lot of force and tried to quickly get back into the game. Their hopes were smothered as Smith added her second goal of the game in the 53rd minute. Smith had another breakaway chance and was able to smoothly place it into the side netting for an impressive finish.

"I wasn't surprised at all," Christenbury said. "(Smith) is just one of the hardest working players on our team."

The score remained the same for the rest of the game as the Blugolds were able to pick up a 3-1 win.

Despite coming out on top, Yengo still thought his team could have played much better.

"We just need to change the course of things and come out much stronger tomorrow (against Carleton College)," Yengo said.

Eau Claire was able to do exactly what Yengo desired as it played a much better game on Sunday. The Blugolds traveled to Carleton College for a non-conference game and were able to come out with a 3-0 victory.

"Compared to yesterday I think we really stepped it up," Christenbury said. "After our coaches talked with us I think we came out with a lot of momentum and it really stuck with us throughout the game."

Eau Claire improved to 12-0-2 and 4-0 in the WIAC conference after their two wins this weekend. On Saturday, Eau Claire will put its' six game winning streak on the line as the team takes on 5th-ranked UW-Stevens Point (Eau Claire is ranked first) for a huge conference showdown.

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