By Nick Hoven, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team was out for revenge on Saturday afternoon after coming up short in a 1-0 loss to the Augsburg College Auggies at Hobbs Ice Arena on Friday. The Blugolds would make the trip to Minneapolis, MN for a rematch in their double header weekend against the Auggies and come away with a 5-0 win.
In the first period it seemed as if the ice was tilted in Eau Claire's favor. It only took Courtney Wittig (So.-Green Bay, WI/Bayport) a little over six minutes to find the back of the net and to open the flood gates for Eau Claire. Wittig would tip in her second goal of the game on a Blugold power-play to increase the lead late in the period. The Eau Claire power-play increases to 25.7% (18 for 70) on the season.
Just seconds later, Emily Bauer (Fr.-Wausau, WI/East) would receive a pass from Jaedyn Walz (Jr.-Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) on a two on one opportunity and Bauer would go top right corner over the goalie's glove to get the Blugolds a 3-0 lead after the first period.
After out-shooting the Auggies 14 to 3 in the opening period, the Blugolds still had some fire in them as they entered the second. Lexi Wilson (So.-Eagan, MN) would bury her second and third goals of the season as she was the lone goal scorer for both sides. Walz would assist both goals and Bauer would also tally an assist on Wilson's second goal of the game. After two periods, the Blugolds would again out-shoot the Auggies 21 to 8. After that fifth goal, Augsburg would switch goalies to Rebecca Sonneck who received the shutout win against Eau Claire the night prior. She would keep the Blugolds from adding to their tally through the rest of the game.
Four Eau Claire players would earn themselves a multi-point game. Wittig and Wilson both had two goals, Walz would earn three assists, and Emily Bauer would receive a goal and an assist.
Erin Connolly (Fr.-Mequon, WI/Homestead) would earn her third shutout of the year, increasing her record to 10-4-1 stopping all 15 of Augsburg's shots.
Eau Claire (12-5-1) will be back in action Jan. 20 as they host UW-Superior at Hobbs Ice Arena. The puck will drop at 7 p.m.
Follow all the action this season on Blugold Game Day.
