Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team concluded their road trip in Illinois on Sunday with a nonconference game against Aurora University. Despite a two-goal deficit in the opening 16 minutes of play, the Blugolds responded with five goals to claim a 5-4 victory. This win marks UW-Eau Claire's third of the season and is also the program's and head coach Casey Holm's 50th career win since the team's inception three seasons ago.

Nathan Donovan spearheaded the Blugold offense, collecting his first hat trick of the season. Donovan scored his first two goals in the 25th and 35th minutes, with the first coming from a penalty kick and the second from a transition rush into Aurora’s box. He completed his hat trick in the 59th minute with a one-touch finish on a cross from Porter Ball to tie the game at 3-3.

Owen Williams gave Eau Claire its first lead of the contest in the 73rd minute with a strike from outside the box after a scramble for possession. In the 78th minute, Donovan was fouled inside Aurora’s box, leading to Eau Claire’s second penalty kick of the afternoon. Sam Lynch converted this opportunity by placing his shot into the bottom left corner for Eau Claire's fifth goal.

Mark Belknap stopped two of six shots faced to earn his first win of the season, bringing his record to 1-0-0.

The Blugolds (3-0-1) will next travel to Bethel University on Wednesday, September 11th for their upcoming match at Ona Orth Athletic Complex, scheduled for kickoff at 4 p.m.

Follow UW-Eau Claire men’s soccer all season long at Blugolds.com or through their app, Blugold Sports, as well as on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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