Blugolds fall in NCAA soccer tourney

Soccer can be a funny game. The Blugolds probably aren't laughing right now though.
Despite an almost dominant first half, host UW-Eau Claire was eliminated from the NCAA tournament Saturday with a 2-1 loss to Wartburg (Iowa) at Bollinger Fields.
Over the whole 90 minutes, the Blugolds (18-2-2) were the more dangerous team. They just couldn't convert their half chances into chances and their chances into goals. Wartburg (17-3-1) didn't have as many chances, but managed to convert two of them.
I'll have full game details in Sunday's Leader-Telegram, but here are a few notes and observations:
* Junior Allison Smith missed the game because of suspension, so Allison Muer deputized for her at sweeper. Muer normally plays midfield, but played very well at the back.
Where the Blugolds did miss Smith was on goal kicks, long clearances and set pieces. Smith normally takes UW-Eau Claire's corner kicks and free kicks. Saturday those duties were split among various players, including Muer, Smith's twin sister Amy and freshman Jamie Schiesel.
*Desperate for offense, coach Sean Yengo switched to a 3-4-3 formation with about 26 minutes remaining. He pushed Muer back into the midfield and slid Haelee Maurer and Gina Christenbury alongside Amy Smith up top. Even that move really didn't lead to the kind of offensive pressure Yengo was looking for.
*Freshman defender Andrea Hull, an Eau Claire Memorial grad, played some important minutes for the Blugolds. As UW-Eau Claire was pushing for a late equalizer, Yengo stayed with the freshman substitute at right back.
*Senior defender Anna Talbot was a very deserving choice for Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference player of the year. Talbot, who plays a stopper role in the center of the Blugolds defense, has great instincts and almost always is in the right position. She really kept the defense organized.
"It’s a great honor, obviously," Talbot said. "I didn’t see it coming at all. You don’t get an award like that unless you have a team that’s talented and supportive. My team was awesome. We’re a family. I know that wouldn’t have happened without them."

- Joe Ziemer