By Riley Schmidt, UWEC Sports Information
RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team took the ice to face the University of Wisconsin-River Falls for round two of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) semifinal game on Saturday afternoon. Eau Claire and River Falls ended in an overtime draw with a final score of 3-3.
UW-River Falls was first on the board just 1:17 into the first period. However, UW-Eau Claire was quick to retaliate with two goals by the end of the first period. Assisted by Jennifer Thomsen (So.-Apple Valley, Minn.), Mariah Czech (Jr.-Andover, Minn.) was first to put a tally on the board for the Blugolds at 14:55 into the first. Shortly after, Jaedyn Walz (So.-Woodbury, Minn.) found the back of the net at 16:46 with assists by Czech and Holly Turnbull (Fr.-Hayward, Wis.), bringing Eau Claire up 2-1 at the end of the first.
The Blugolds added to their lead off the stick of Ashley Baugher (Sr.-Crystal Lake, Ill.) who tallied an unassisted goal at 16:54, pushing Eau Claire ahead 3-1 at the end of the second.
But the third period was where the Falcon offense would find the back of the net twice to knot the score at three to tie the game. Falcon Dani Sibley tallied all three River Falls' goals to earn the hat trick.
The game consisted of solid defense for Eau Claire and goalie Kim Van Brunt (Sr.-Eagle River, Wis.) saved a total of 44 shots for the Blugolds compared to River Falls' 9.
The Blugolds wrap of the season with an overall record of 9-13-5 and 2-8-2 in conference play.
