By Nick Hoven, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team started the weekend off at home against the Saint Mary's Cardinals at Hobbs Ice Arena with the Blugolds coming away with a 5-1 win.
These teams have met earlier in the year, with the Blugolds coming away with a 4-0 victory. UW-Eau Claire started things off strong again in Friday's match-up as Elizabeth Bauer (Fr.-Wausau, WI/East) gathered the puck on the right wall, walked in, and rifled one off the goalie's blocker to earn her third goal of the season. Holly Turnbull (So.-Hayward, WI) and Courtney Wittig (So.-Green Bay, WI/Bayport) would be credited with the assists. Just minutes after, Sami Meister (Fr.-Plymouth, MN/Wayzata) would gather the puck on the blue line and fire the puck on goal. With plenty of traffic in front, the puck would find its way into the back of the net. Courtney Baugher (So.-Crystal Lake, MN/Chisago Lakes) would record her third point on the season. The centers for the Blugolds combined for a period total of 15 face-off wins and zero face-off losses.
The Blugolds would start the second period just as strong. With a 3 on 1 odd rush, Emily Bauer (Fr.-Wausau, WI/East) would enter the zone and eventually send it back door to Baugher to tip it in. Turnbull would receive the second assist and all three players would earn their second point of the night.
Eau Claire would get the mismatched rushes all night. Emily Bauer would find herself on a breakaway, fake the backhand shot, and slide the puck under the goalie's pad for a highlight reel fourth goal. Kelly Knetter (So.-Wausau, WI/West) would get the assist.
The third period would go up and down the ice with both teams scoring in the first seven minutes of the period. Wittig tallied the goal for Eau Claire thanks to assists from Maggie Koethe (So.- Brooklyn Park, MN/Marantha Christian Academy) and Reilly Albert (Fr.-Duluth, MN/Hermantown).
The Blugolds would end the game out-shooting the Cardinals 38 to 11. They also would win in face-offs 30 to 12.
Eau Claire (9-4, 1-1 WIAC) will be back at Hobbs Saturday night for a 7 p.m. match-up with Marian University.
Follow all the action this season on Blugold Game Day.
