HANCOCK, Mich. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team earned their first sweep of the season, defeating Finlandia University 8-3 on Saturday.
Jaedyn Walz (Jr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) was the first to get the Blugolds on the board, scoring off assists from Lauren Norgren (Jr. – Fergus Falls, MN) and Emma Silkey (Sr. – Chaska, MN) at the 3:42 mark.
Emily Bauer (Fr. – Marshfield, WI/Wausau East) found the back of the net five minutes later to give the Blugolds a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission. The goal was her first in a Blugold uniform.
Finlandia managed a goal early in the second period, but the Blugolds would respond with a goal of their own less than a minute later as Courtney Wittig (So. – Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) tallied her first goal of the day off assists from Elizabeth Bauer (Fr. – Marshfield, WI/Wausau East and Sami Meister (Fr. – Plymouth, MN/Wayzata)
After another Lion goal, Wittig struck again at 9:47 thanks to assists by Emily and Elizabeth Bauer. Wittig secured a hat trick 14 seconds later off an assist from Norgren.
Finlandia notched their third and final goal at 12:10, but again Eau Claire had an answer as Mariah Czech (Sr. – Andover, MN) recorded a power play goal at 16:44 off a Walz assist.
The third period was all Eau Claire as they would add two more power play goals. Elizabeth Bauer also notched her first Blugold goal as she found the back of the net with assists from Emily Bauer and Meister at 5:43. Wittig added her fourth goal of the day at 16:44, thanks to assists from Holly Turnbull (So. – Hayward, WI) and Elizabeth Bauer.
Eau Claire recorded an impressive 55 shots to the Lions' 12 while goalie Molly Scarborough (Fr. – Anoka, MN) earned her first win as a Blugold with nine saves.
The Blugolds (2-0) will be back on the road Tuesday as they take on the University of St. Thomas. Eau Claire will have their home opener on Friday, Nov. 4th against Hamline University.
Follow the action this season on Blugold Game Day.
