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Issued: October 3, 2006

WIAC AND NON-CONFERENCE GAME IN STORE FOR SOCCER

EAU CLAIRE – The eighth-ranked UW-Eau Claire soccer team looks to rebound from its first loss of the season this weekend when it plays a pair of games against UW-Oshkosh and Augsburg College (MN).

The team was undefeated through the season until Sunday’s 1-0 loss to St. Olaf (MN). It now stands at 10-1-0 overall and 4-0-0 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The team went from fifth in the NSCAA/Adidas to eighth and it slipped to 18th in the D3Kicks.com poll.

The defense has led Eau Claire this season, allowing only three goals in 1,009:18. Opponents have 42 shots on Eau Claire compared to 163 Blugold ones. The defense leads the conference in goals allowed, goals against average (.27), and in shutouts (8). Either Liz Weirick (Jr.-Kenosha/Tremper) or Allie Rivard (So.-Plymouth, MN/Wayzata) are in the top three in the conference for goals against average, save percentage, and shutouts. Abby Ofstedahl (Jr.-Apple Valley, MN/Eastview) and Allison Smith (So.-Bloomington, MN/Jefferson) have both been recognized as a WIAC Defensive Athlete of the Week.

Offensively, the Blugolds are the class of conference in assists (27) and assists per game (2.45). They are second in points (77) and goals (25). Maria Iaizzo (Sr.-White Bear Lake, MN), once tabbed as a WIAC Offensive Player of the Week, leads the team in points (20), goals (8), shots (33), and shots on goal (13). Amy Smith (So.-Bloomington, MN/Jefferson) has the most assists at five. Iaizzo is in the top three for points, goals, and assists conference-wise. Emily Meisinger (Sr.-Green Bay/Notre Dame Academy) is third with her in assists while Amy Smith is second for that category. Amy Smith is second in assists per game (0.45). Liz Kooistra (So.-Lakeville, MN) has also been selected as WIAC Offensive Player of the Week.

The Blugolds are tops in the conference but Saturday’s foe, Oshkosh, lurks at second. They are 5-3-2 in all games and 3-1-0 in WIAC play. In teams both squads have played, Oshkosh beat UW-Stout while losing to St. Olaf and UW-Stevens Point. The Titans as a team rank around the middle in the majority of the scoring and defensive conference categories. Maggie Hoffman and Erin Rickard lead in goals while Hoffman’s 12 points are first. Katie Bera’s 40 saves are third in the WIAC. Last year Oshkosh placed second in the conference behind the Blugolds. Returning All-WIAC members include Michelle John and Amanda Matzke. The all-time record is 16-3-1 in favor of Eau Claire.

Sunday’s opponent, Augsburg, is 6-2-1. Of opponents both teams share, the Auggies have beaten Hamline University (MN) and St. Olaf. The Auggie defense has given up three goals on 103 shots with seven shutouts. The team has scored 18 goals on 189 shots. The balance shows in the conference stats, where Augsburg is in the top three for nearly every defensive and offensive category. Emily Anderson’s four goals and eight points lead the team. Both earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) honors last season and are the only such returners for the team. Eau Claire leads the lifetime series between the two by a 7-0-2 margin.

The Oshkosh game is Saturday and the Augsburg battle is Sunday. Both games are at 2:00 p.m.

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