EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Playing in its final home game for 2013, the UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team fell 5-1 to Bethel University (Minn.) at Hobbs Ice Center tonight.
The Blugolds got behind 3-0 after two periods and couldn't recover. Bethel scored once in the opening period and twice in the second to get up 3-0.
Midway through the third period, the Blugolds got on the board when Paige Dale (Fr.-Andover, Minn.), assisted by Katie Burkey (Fr.-Ramsey, Minn./Anoka), scored an even-strength goal to get the Blugolds back within two goals.
But the Royals ended the Blugolds' hopes of a comeback after scoring two more goals to increase their lead to four before the end of the game.
Paige Turner (So.-Iron River, Wis./Duluth East) stopped 32 out of 37 Bethel shots, playing all 60 minutes in-goal. The Blugolds finished with a total of 23 shots.
The teams combined for just three penalties, two on Eau Claire and one on Bethel. Neither team converted on the power-plays.
Eau Claire falls to 1-8-2 on the season while Bethel improves to 7-2-1 overall.
The Blugolds will wrap up 2013 taking on Bethel University in Blaine, Minn. on Saturday. Action will get underway at 3 p.m.
-KM-