EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team was looking to rebound after being shutout by St. Mary's (Minn.) Friday afternoon on the road. The same two teams faced off at Hobbs Ice Center Saturday afternoon, but the Blugolds were on the wrong end once again, falling 5-1 to the Cardinals.

The Blugolds (3-11-2) struck first at 8:45 of the first period. Mariah Czech (Fr.-Andover, Minn./Andover) scored her third goal of the season on a nice deflection in front of the net off a shot by Paige Dale (Fr.-Andover, Minn./Andover) from the point for a power-play goal. Sam Knutson (Jr.-North St. Paul, Minn./North St. Paul) added an assist on the goal.

At 15:14, the Cardinals (4-9-0) tied up the game, and from there it was all St. Mary's. The Cardinals got a rebound goal at 18:47 of the third period to take a lead and the momentum into the first intermission. Shots after the period were close, with the Cardinals holding a slight edge, 9-8.

In the second period, it was St. Mary's that struck again, this time at 16:44 for the lone goal of the period. But the story off the period was the shots, as the Cardinals outshot the Blugold 13-to-2, taking control of the game.

The third period was much of the same, with St. Mary's striking twice in the period. The first goal came at 3:58 of the third period and was scored by Eau Claire native Macki Fadness, who played her high school hockey with the ECA Stars. The final goal of the game was scored at 8:27 for the Cardinals.

Alexys Woodward (Fr.-Vadnais Heights, Minn./Hill Murray) made her first collegiate start and her first appearance of the season. She was strong in net for the Blugolds, making 32 saves on 37 shots. The Cardinals outshot the Blugolds 15-to-4 in the third period to hold the 37-to-14 advantage.

Penalties were rather even, with the Blugolds taking four penalties to five for the Cardinals. The Blugolds were the lone team to score on the power-play.

The Blugolds are back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 14 when they welcome St. Thomas (Minn.) to Hobbs Ice Center for a nonconference home game. The game is set to start at 7 p.m. They will then be off until Jan. 24 when they travel to Superior to take on the Yellowjackets.

-JM-