EAU CLAIRE, Wisconsin. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team defeated the No. 5 UW-River Falls Falcons 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at Hobbs Ice Center on senior day.
The Blugolds needed a win or a tie to earn the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament and got the job done by capitalizing on quality scoring chances and stellar goaltending.
Jennifer Thomson (Sr. - Apple Valley, MN) started things off right on senior day on a breakaway goal beating goaltender Angie Hall five hole to make it 1-0 with less than three minutes left in the opening period.
The Falcons would lead 10-7 in shots on goal after one period of play.
Defenseman Sami Meister (So. - Plymouth, MN) found the back of the net with 11:18 left in the second period to make it 2-0.
UW-Eau Claire would take the 2-0 lead into the second intermission trailing 21-11 in shots on goal.
Courtney Wittig (Jr. - Green Bay, WI) gave the Blugolds one final insurance goal to make it 3-0 late in the final period.
The Blugolds would go on to win with that 3-0 score and closed the gap in shots on goal after the final 20 minutes (24-23).
Goaltender Erin Connolly (So. - Mequon, WI) saved all 24 shots she saw on the night to earn the shutout victory.
The Blugolds will now get set to host UW-Superior in the semifinals of the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver's) next weekend. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
