EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Touchdowns from senior tight end Austin Goetsch and sophomore tailback Joe Poulin gave the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds a 17-10 halftime advantage over eighth-ranked St. Thomas in the season opener at Carson Park, Saturday, Sept. 1.

Tommie senior linebacker Mike Valesano recovered the opening kickoff after Blugold senior kick returner Tyler Janus fumbled.

Four plays later, Tommie sophomore quarterback Matt O’Connell hit junior wideout Dan Noehring for a 22-yard touchdown. Noehring easily slipped by the safety and corner.

The Blugolds put together a seven play, 74-yard drive of their own capped off by a pinpoint pass from senior quarterback Austin Neu to the preseason All-American Goestch to notch the score at 7-7.

Later in the first quarter, Poulin punched in from two yards to give the Blugolds a 14-7 advantage.

After a fumble inside the Blugolds’ red zone by Tommie sophomore running back Aaron Tyrell-Byrd, the Blugolds subsequent drive stalled.

Tommie junior kicker Griffen Snyder pushed a 33-yard field goal wide right midway through the second quarter.

With 4:38 to go in the second quarter, junior punt returner Kyle Whitley muffed a punt recovered by the Blugolds. UW-Eau Claire kicker Josh Albright cashed in on a 34-yard field goal.

The Tommies grabbed a late field goal as freshman kick returner Jack Gilliland raced down the sideline for a 63-yard return to set it up. Synder redeemed himself, chipping in a 29-yard field goal with 17.6 seconds remaining in the half to cut the deficit to 17-10.

St. Thomas turned the ball over twice, both on fumbles.

The Tommies received the ball to begin the second half. Check TommieMedia later for more coverage.