COLLEGE
blugolds swat yellowjackets
October 26th, 2022
Words/Images by Branden Nall
Tuesday night was the final regular season home game for the #14 Blugolds before heading to #10 UW-Whitewater, Friday(7pm) and Concordia on Saturday(2pm).
blugolds TOPPLE #3
Blugolds dig deep for upset over University of Northwestern Eagles
9/29/22 Eau Claire - words/photos by Branden Nall
Coming off of wins against top 10 teams Gustavus, Hope and Calvin; and sitting at #3 in the country with a record of 13-0, the University of Northwestern came into McFee ready for a battle against the National Champion Blugolds on Wednesday night.
The Eagles looked like they belong in the top 3 of the NCAA D3 Volleyball Leaderboards. The Blugolds currently holding at #11 – had other things in mind. Both teams exhumed excitement and frustration as the battle of 5 games ensued and the fans attained every cent of their entry fee.
It was like watching the National Championships last year in St. Louis. Everything was left on the floor. Sets had to be perfectly placed, so that each shot that the Blugolds delivered was meticulously detailed to ensure the ball met the floor or a ricochet off an Eagle attempted block or dig.
Every other game went to the Blugolds starting with the 2nd and none eclipsed more than a 5 point spread. Arianna Barrett, Hannah Flottmeyer and Jordan Witzel led the Blugolds on the attack with a combined 37 of the 54 kills on the night. Sharidan Dettmann, Charlie Nelson and Bailey Leeke amassed 46 digs to help UWEC take the match after a 15-12 last game victory.
The Blugolds will be at UW-Lacrosse Friday night at 7 as they look to go 3-0 in the WIAC play.
UWEC tops st.olaf
9/7/22 Eau Claire - words/photos by Branden Nall
Under a huge and almost full-moon, the Blugold Women let the Oles know how they do things on their home turf. Striking early the Blugolds found the back of the net for the first of 3 scores on the day. As darkness set in St. Olaf kept the pressure with some dynamic field control, but were never able to get the ball in goal.
The Blugolds advance to 2-1 on the season as they defeated the Oles 3-1. They have only allowed 1 goal in the last 2 games. and will face Saint Benedict on Saturday afternoon.
Get the full schedule here.
blugolds still pitch perfect
9/6/22 Eau Claire - words/photos by Branden Nall
As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler the Blugolds' stay hot. Tuesday night's game was UWEC's second shutout in a row and the 3rd (w) to keep them perfect on the year.
Having just started their 20 game season after their inaugural year, the Blugolds are showing that they are a force. Last season wrapped up at 15-4 which was excellent for a just hatched program.
If you enjoy soccer - heck, even if your not sure if you like it, pop over to https://blugolds.com/sports/msoc/2022-23/schedule to see when they play. Maybe take in the next home game. They are quite action packed!
Full Photo Gallery Coming Soon
blugolds' leadership evident
August 11, 2022
Words/Photos by Branden Nall - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Simpson Field
The UWEC Blugolds Football Team headed onto Simpson Field at upper campus on Thursday afternoon. Blue skies - 80 degrees and low humidity provided a cracking atmosphere for the first day back on the field for the 2022 season.
I surfed around the edges of the field taking in the sights and sounds of day one. I couldn't help but get the sense of over whelming leadership and drive that had been resounding through the air since the moment I walked through the gate.
Encouragement and excitement along with stern focus from a 'work perspective' was forefront.
And work they did. Enthusiastically and having a great time doing it!
Exhilaration and work ethic to get things done correctly was evident as the same squad would run through the same things multiple times to get it right! "Back on the line" echoed a few times over - coming from the players, not the coaches. Showing vested interest in day one's mission - and season.
I am excited for this year's UWEC Football season harvest; as the seeds are absolutely being sewn and watered.
