By Riley Schmidt, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire dominated the ice on Friday afternoon after winning 8-0 against Finlandia University of Michigan.
The Blugolds started off the first period strong, staying predominantly on the Lions' side of the ice. The puck found the back of the net at 5:50 into the first period for Erin Goodell's (Fr.-Maplewood, MN/Woodbury) first goal of the season. Nearing the end of the period with just 0:47 to go, Jennifer Thomsen (So.-Apple Valley, MN) scored with an assist by Jaedyn Walz (So.-Woodbury, MN/East Ridge). The Blugolds ended the period leading 2-0.
Eau Claire was fired up as they skated onto the ice for the second period. The next goal of the game went to Danielle Lucker (Fr.-Little Canada, MN/Roseville) at 13:10 with an assist by Goodell. Towards the end of the period, Lexi Wilson (Fr.-Eagan, MN) skated her way past the Lions' defense and powered a shot to the back of the net for her first unassisted goal of the season.
The Blugolds started off the third period up 4-0 and were on a roll during the first two minutes of the period as Monica Sjodin (Fr.-Anoka, MN) found the back of the net at 0:22 and 1:45 on a Blugold power play. Her power play goal was assisted by Lauren Norgren (So.-Fergus Falls, MN) and Wilson. The Blugolds continued their streak of goals at 5:28 into the third as Lucker got her second goal of the game, also on a power play. She was assisted by Sjodin and Wilson. Eau Claire solidified their win at 9:33 into the period as Kelsey Rafferty (So.- De Pere, WI) sunk the puck into the back of the net, bringing the Eau Claire final tally to eight goals for the afternoon.
Goalie Kim Van Brunt (Sr.-Eagle River, WI/Northland Pines) of the Blugolds had a total of eight saves for the game. Eau Claire ended the final buzzer with a whopping 70 shots on goal for the afternoon.
Eau Claire (4-6-3, 1-3-2) plays their next game on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. against Bethel University (3-4-2, 3-1-2).