EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team overcame an early three-goal deficit to tie UW-Superior 3-3 in overtime this afternoon.

In just over nine minutes, the Yellowjackets had notched three goals and presented the Blugolds with a big challenge. The Blugolds didn't get on the board until 14:45 in the first period, when Allison Malecek (So.-Maple Plain, Minn./Delano) nailed an unassisted power play goal.

The Blugolds continued to fight, and recorded two goals in the second period to tie the game. Rachel Vath (Fr.-Rosemount, Minn.), with help from Nikki Kothenbeutel (Fr.-Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice), first cut into Superior's lead with a goal at the 6:52 minute mark. Toni Simones (Jr.-Rosemount, Minn./South St. Paul) found the back of the Yellowjacket net near the end of the second to make it a 3-3 game.

But neither team could gain an advantage in the third period, and the deadlock continued through the overtime period. Each team made several shots in the final five minutes, but ultimately the game concluded in a 3-3 tie.

Ally Derthick (Fr.-Knoxville, Tenn./New Hampton Prep) started the game as goalie, but Mara Stormer (So.-Waunakee, Wis.) took over after the third goal allowed. Stormer made 25 total saves in her 55:55 minutes of play. Eau Claire outshot Superior in the game 33-29, and especially fired at the goal in the third period, when they took 11 shots compared to the Yellowjackets' four.

The Blugolds' first tie of the season gives the team a new record of 5-4-1 overall and 3-3-1 in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association. Fellow NCHA competitor Superior is now 6-1-2 in the conference.

The Blugolds will battle Superior again tomorrow afternoon at Hobbs Ice Center. The game is set to begin at 2 p.m.