EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team notched an important Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) win over UW-Stevens Point on Saturday night, taking down the Pointers by a score of 4-3.
Mariah Czech (Sr. – Andover, MN) got the ball rolling with a goal at the 5:09 mark of the first period off a Jaedyn Walz (Sr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) assist. However, the Pointers would tie it up at 11:36 and take the lead on a power play goal at 17:43.
Both teams tallied an unassisted goal in the second period with Holly Turnbull (Jr. – Hayward, WI) giving Eau Claire their second goal. Despite out-shooting the Pointers 33-26 in the first two periods, the Blugolds were down 3-2 heading into the final frame.
Eau Claire would keep the shots coming in the third, again out-shooting Stevens Point. Elizabeth Bauer (So. – Wausau, WI/East) would take advantage of a power play, tying the score at three at the 3:23 mark with assists from Courtney Wittig (Jr. – Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) and Hanna Zavoral (Fr. – St. Paul, MN/Highland Park).
Turnbull would get her second goal of the night and the game-winner at 18:49 to give Eau Claire a crucial WIAC win. Sami Meister (So. – Plymouth, MN/Wayzata) and Wittig were credited with assists.
For the game, the Blugolds out-shot the Pointers 50-25 and dominated in face offs, winning 47 of 73.
Erin Connolly (So. - Mequon, WI/Homestead) earned the win between the pipes, recording 22 saves to improve to 11-5-3.
Eau Claire (12-6-3, 1-3-1 WIAC) will host Stevens Point again on Friday, Feb. 2 at Hobbs Ice Arena with the puck scheduled to drop at 7 p.m. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
