BOXSCORE BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS -- Bri Clark (JR, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS) scored her third goal of the season in the second half, but her Augsburg College women's soccer team fell 3-1 to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in a nonconference contest on Saturday evening at Edor Nelson Field.

Clark finished a long downfield sprint from Olivia Muyres (FY, Rochester, Minn./Lourdes HS) and Kelsey Sorensen (JR, Eden Prairie, Minn.) in the 54th minute for the Auggies (2-2-0 overall).

"We played much better in the second half, getting an outstanding goal from Bri Clark and we had some good chances to make it more interesting, but at the end of the day we need to do a better job if we are going to challenge the best teams in the region as we have done before," said Augsburg head coach Mike Navarre. "That being said, I am proud and excited for our team. The players want to be great and I see them continuing to improve."

But three first-half goals propelled Wisconsin-Eau Claire (3-1-0 overall) to the victory. Katie Richter scored an unassisted goal in the 13th minute, while Paige LeGate scored off a feed from Allie Stone in the 25th minute. Eva Popp scored on a rebound off of a corner kick by Laura Berglund in the 44th minute.

"You just have to tip your hat to Eau Claire," Navarre said. "While the run of play was pretty balanced, they showed why they are one of the best teams in the region with two outstanding goals in the first half, and then they find a way to score off a corner in the final minutes before halftime to get the huge third goal."

The Blugolds claimed a 21-13 advantage in shots in the game. Augsburg goalkeeper Katie Gajewski (SO, Wausau, Wis./Wausau East HS) collected six saves, as did Wisconsin-Eau Claire goalkeeper Nina Behrenbrinker.

Clark, Muyres and Bri Dorale (JR, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS) had three shots apiece for the Auggies. Richter led the Blugolds with five shots, while LeGate had three shots.

Augsburg opens Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Tuesday (9/13) at 7:30 p.m., hosting Bethel at Edor Nelson Field.

"Now the real fun starts with our MIAC opener on Tuesday against Bethel," Navarre said. "Bethel is undefeated and a very dangerous team. I expect Bethel to shock some people this year and challenge all the top teams in the league. I'm sure Tuesday's game will be a great one to watch."