EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team advanced to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship (presented by Culver's) after defeating UW-Stevens Point 3-2 on Saturday.  

Box Score | WIAC Championship Website

The Blugolds took advantage of Pointer penalties, with two of their three goals coming via the power play.

Eau Claire got on the board first with a power play goal at 14:55 of the first period as Holly Turnbull (So. – Hayward, WI) buried one thanks to an assist from Sami Meister (Fr. – Plymouth, MN/Wayzata). The lead was short-lived, however, as Stevens Point notched a power play goal of their own at 16:42.

The Pointers took their only lead of the game nine minutes into the second period off another power play goal. Stevens Point would maintain the lead heading into the final period.

The Blugolds would own the final period from start to finish, scoring the tying goal just a minute into the frame. Lauren Norgren (Jr. - Fergus Falls, MN) would beat Pointer net minder Marit Larson with a quick shot to earn the unassisted goal.

With minutes left in regulation, Turnbull would go top shelf to score the game-winner and her second goal of the day, taking advantage of the power play and would send the Blugolds to the WIAC title game.

Erin Connolly (Fr.-Mequon, WI/Homestead) turned in a 20-save performance in goal as the Pointers and Blugolds both had 22 shots on the night.

The Blugolds (18-8-1) will face UW-River Falls for the WIAC Championship on Saturday, March 4 in River Falls. The No. 3-ranked Falcons have only two losses on the season, but both came at the hands of the Blugolds. Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.