Eau Claire, Wis. – Despite scoring its first goal of the season and tying its season high for shot attempts with 13, the Gustavus Adolphus women’s soccer team was defeated by UW-Eau Claire 4-1 in a non-conference matchup at Bollinger Field on Saturday afternoon.
UW-Eau Claire struck first, getting two quick goals from junior forward Tara Dennehy at the 21:43 and 23:11 marks. Moments later, Gustavus forward Maddison Ackiss (So., Fairbanks, Alaska) secured the Gustie’s first score of the season when she booted an unassisted goal past Blugold keeper Sammie Lefaive at the 29:31 mark to bring the Gusties within one.
A little over 30 minutes of play passed before Dennehy completed the hat-trick by scoring her third goal of the game at 61:35 on an assist from defender Megan Hanson. Fallon Peplinski tacked on an insurance goal for the Eau Claire by punching in her first goal of the season at 77:40 to give Eau Claire a 4-1 lead that they would maintain for the remainder of the match. Lefaive made nine saves on the day and gave up one goal to pick up her second consecutive victory and move to 2-1-0 on the season.
Gustie goalkeeper Caroline Olson (Sr., York, Penn.) moved to 0-2-1 on the season after making four saves and allowing four goals.
Gustavus is now 0-3-1 on the season and will be back in action with another road game on Wednesday when it travels to Carleton College for its first MIAC match of the season. That match will begin at 4 p.m. in Northfield.