Wheaton, Ill. -- The Thunder women's soccer team took to the turf at Joe Bean Stadium for the first time in 2025 on Friday evening to host the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in both sides' opening game of this year's Bob Baptista Invitational. Just as it did two years ago when the two programs last met in Wheaton's annual four-team competition, tonight's game ended with honors even, as the Thunder and the Blugolds played to a 1-1 tie in front of a sizable crowd. Wheaton's record is 2-0-1 on the young season, and the CCIW side kept its home unbeaten streak against Friday's opponent alive, now owning a 7-0-3 head-to-head mark against UW-Eau Claire since their first meeting in Illinois back in 1999.
The Thunder came into tonight's contest having yet to concede a goal after consecutive clean sheet victories on the road last weekend, and while their shutout streak was ended by a Blugolds penalty kick shortly before halftime, they once again blanked their opponent from open play with some resolute defensive work and sharp goalkeeping. UW-Eau Claire put eight shots on target this evening, drawing seven saves from freshman goalkeeper
Leah Roe (
pictured left), and earned five corner kicks
while limiting Wheaton to five and two in those respective categories. But both squads took ten total attempts through the 90 minutes of action and Wheaton held a 56-44% possession advantage on Friday, underlining the back-and-forth, competitive nature of the match.
The Thunder's five efforts on goal came from three different players, as goalscorer
Emily Setran and
Lily Lindquist each fired off two shots on frame and midfielder
Calah Strong also registered an attempt on target.
Abi Edwards notched her first assist of the season on Setran's go-ahead goal in the opening period.
The Wisconsin visitors began the game on the front foot, putting two attempts on goal in the first three minutes. Strong tested the Eau Claire keeper at the 5:30 mark, but the Blugolds accumulated three corner kicks and another shot on target on 15 minutes as the guests looked to seize the early lead. It was Wheaton who went in front, however, as the hosts took advantage of a throw-in on the left sideline to allow Edwards to deliver a teasing ball into the center of the UWEC box. The Eau Claire defensive line failed to put themselves in a position to clear the cross away, and as a result, their goalkeeper was caught off-guard as Setran ghosted into the area. The senior calmly touched the ball into the bottom left corner with an effective first-time finish to open her account for the season and put the Thunder on top against the run of play. (
VIDEO)
The Blugolds registered two more attempts on target within the next five minutes in a strong response, but Wheaton's rookie shot-stopper was up to the task and helped keep the home side's lead intact. The Thunder were inches away from doubling their advantage when Lindquist unleashed a powerful effort from outside the box towards the top left corner, but the goalkeeper made a one-handed adjustment save to tip the ball onto the post and keep her team in the contest. Wheaton then managed to slow the game down and dictate the tempo of play in the midfield, neutralizing Eau Claire's direct attacks. But the hosts were denied a halftime lead when an unassuming free kick was launched into the penalty area and struck the arm of a Thunder defender, resulting in a spot kick being awarded to the visitors. The ensuing penalty was dispatched with aplomb, and Wheaton was pegged back for the first time in the new season.
The second half was an evenly-matched period, with Eau Claire coming out of the intermission confidently and controlling the early stages before the Thunder turned the momentum back in their favor as the half wore on. But clear-cut chances were few and far between, and the two sides combined for just three efforts on goal after an active first 45 minutes. Neither team played for a tie down the stretch, but both squads were wary of over committing in search of a late winner and throwing away the draw they were on track to earn. When the final whistle blew, the Blugolds could take encouragement from their first positive result of the season and the Thunder could take pride from their unbeaten start to the campaign continuing for at least 24 more hours.
Wheaton faces a short turnaround ahead of its second home match of the year, as the Thunder will take on the Thunder of Trine University at 7 PM on Saturday. Trine also drew its opening game of the Baptista Invite on Friday, a 0-0 stalemate against RIT, who plays Eau Claire in the 4 PM time slot tomorrow.
