ST. PAUL, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – Tied 1-1 entering the third period, the UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team scored two goals in the final 20 minutes earning a 3-1 road victory over St. Catherine University here tonight at Drake/Spa Arena.
Box Score | Coach Collins Video
The Blugolds improve to 2-13-1 on the season while the Wildcats fall to 3-5-2. The win was the second over a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe this year who also defeated Hamline 2-1 on November 25. The victory also avenged a 4-1 loss to St. Catherine on November 8 at Hobbs Ice Center. The win also ended a two-game losing streak to the Wildcats.
Eau Claire got on the scoreboard first when Jennifer Thomsen (Fr.-Apple Valley, MN) scored an unassisted goal at 6:45 of the first period. The goal was the second of the year for Thomsen, both coming within the last week.
After the Wildcats tied the game at 1-1 in the second period the Blugolds answered by outscoring St. Catherine 2-0 in the third period. Andi Husted (Sr.-Scottsdale, AZ/Shattuck St. Mary's) scored her second goal of the season off a Blugold power play at 14:39 assisted by Sam Knutson (Sr.-North St. Paul, MN) giving Eau Claire a 2-1 lead. The assist was the fourth of the year for Knutson.
Paige Dale (So.-Andover, MN) added an insurance score at 18:52 scoring an empty net goal preserving a 3-1 Blugold victory. Dale leads the Blugolds with seven goals scored this season in 16 games. Last season Dale scored four goals in 27 games played.
Paige Turner (Jr.-Iron River, WI/Duluth East) stopped 40 shots between the pipes earning her second win of the year. It was the fifth time this season Turner has stopped 40 or more shots in a game.
Eau Claire was outshot by St. Catherine 41-33. Both teams were whistled for four infractions totaling eight minutes apiece. Both teams also scored one goal on three power play opportunities.
The Blugolds travel to Northfield, Minnesota on Friday, January 9 where they will face St. Olaf College. Face-off is set for 5:00 p.m.
-KCM-
