WINONA, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team earned their fifth win of the season Saturday, defeating Saint Mary's University by a score of 3-1.
The Blugolds struck first as Holly Turnbull (Jr. – Hayward, WI) lit the lap just 36 seconds into the game with an unassisted goal. However, the rest of the period would be quiet as Eau Claire took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The second period saw more action and it was the Blugolds again who got things going early. Courtney Wittig (Jr. – Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) scored her first goal of the game at the two-minute mark off a Monica Sjodin (Jr. – Anoka, MN) assist and added her second at 11:25, this time the assist coming from Lauren Norgren (Sr. – Fergus Falls, MN).
Saint Mary's would add a goal of their own just before the second intermission but the Blugolds still held a 3-1 lead after two periods of play.
Neither team could find the back of the net in the final period as the Blugolds would come away with the non-conference victory.
The Blugolds out-shot the Cardinals 39-21 in the contest while goaltender Erin Connolly (So. – Mequon, WI/Homestead) tallied 20 saves.
Eau Claire (5-2-1) will be back in action Dec. 5 as they travel to the Twin Cities to take on Hamline University at the Oscar Johnson Arena at 7:15 p.m. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.