RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team was eliminated from the WIAC Women's Ice Hockey Tournament losing to top-seeded UW-River Falls 5-1 here today at Hunt Arena.

Box Score | Coach Collins Video

The Blugolds end the season with an overall record of 5-21-1 while the Falcons improve to 23-3-1 and will host the winner of the Stevens Point-Superior semifinal series in the WIAC Women's Ice Hockey Tournament Championship Finals.

Eau Claire fought off an aggressive Falcon offense holding them scoreless on 14 shots as both teams entered the first intermission in a scoreless tie.  The Blugolds were whistled for one minor infraction in the period but the Eau Claire penalty kill unit held River Falls without a goal.

The Falcons eventually broke through the Blugold defense scoring three goals while outshooting Eau Claire 23-4 in the second period. 

The third period started with a Falcon short-handed goal at 6:06 but the Blugolds answered when Sydney Schneider (Fr.-Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) scored a power play goal at 8:11 assisted by Jennifer Thomsen (Fr.-Apple Valley, MN) and Jaedyn Walz (Fr.-Woodbury, MN/East Ridge).  The goal was the third of the year for Schneider while Walz recorded her team-best seventh assist.

Goalie Paige Turner (Jr.-Iron River, WI/Duluth East) saved 49 shots on goal for the Blugolds.  It was the second time this season Turner has saved 49 shots in a single game and the ninth time this season Turner has saved 40 or more shots in a game.

The Falcons outshot the Blugolds 54-10.  Eau Claire received 14 minutes on seven minor infractions while the Falcons were whistled for eight total infractions totaling 16 penalty minutes.  The Blugolds scored one goal on five power play chances while the Falcons were held scoreless on six opportunities.

Today's game was the final game played as a Blugold for seniors Andi Husted (Sr.-Scottsdale, AZ/Shattuck St. Mary's), Amanda Kane (Sr.-Maplewood, MN/North St. Paul) and Sam Knutson (Sr.-North St. Paul, MN).

-KCM-