By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
The term "Defending Champions" didn't originate from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point but the women's soccer team is trying to give it an alternate meaning.
The Pointers, who finished at the top of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference a year ago, are getting downright defensive against conference opponents in 1999.
UW-SP made the competition's offense disappear again on Wednesday at the Pointer Soccer Bowl and the Pointers disposed of UW-Eau Claire 2-0.
"Eau Claire's gonna come hard at us. It just came down to who works harder for it," UW-SP coach Sheila Miech said.
"We were up for the game. We were ready."
The win gave Stevens Point, 4-0 in WIAC and 8-1-0 overall, its fourth shutout in four tries against WIAC opponents this season. The Pointers will try and continue their conference scoreless streak against UW-River Falls, who was also undefeated going into Wednesday's games.
While strong midfield play kept the Bluegolds off of the scoreboard, UW-SP's Marie Muhvic gave the Pointers a 1-0 lead 13:08 into the game. Heather Camps found the former Stevens Point Area Senior High star in a crowd in front of the Eau Claire goal and Muhvic beat Bluegold goalie Chandra Butterfield. Jenny Davis was also credited with an assist.
"I never use my left foot and I finally did," Muhvic said. "The coaches tell me I'll be a more complete player if I do."
Eau Claire did have several scoring opportunities in the middle of the first half, as the Bluegolds controlled the ball on offense for almost a 10 minute stretch. However, UW-SP's ball-hawking defense kept UW-EC out of the net, thanks in part to two saves from goalie Brianna Hyslop.
Abby Rabinovitz relieved Hyslop in net for the second half and Laura Gissibl quickly gave her some breathing room. The senior from Brookfield was taken down by Eau Claire's Katie Libby and was awarded a penalty shot. Gissibl made the Bluegolds pay, as she put her shot in the bottom left corner of the goal, out of the reach of Butterfield.
With a 2-0 lead, the Pointers defense gave Rabinovitz and easy afternoon, as she only had to make one save during the entire second half.
"I think the reason we had so much success was our midfield. We kept pressing them up the field and that gave the offense more opportunities," Muhvic said.
Miech cited the defense for its strong play, too, and also credited her team's depth for wearing Eau Claire down.
After River Falls comes to campus Saturday, the Pointers host another conference showdown Oct. 9 against UW-La Crosse (3-0 in WIAC), which is the only school besides UW-SP to win a conference title.