By Anna Sveiven, UWEC Sports Information
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team used a five-goal third period on Tuesday night to defeat Augsburg University in a non-conference matchup by a final score of 7-2.
The Auggies would get on the board first with a powerplay goal in the first period but Courtney Wittig (Sr. - Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) would get the equalizer with a breakaway goal six and a half minutes into the second period. Solid goaltending by Erin Connolly (Jr. - Mequon, WI/Homestead) kept Augsburg at bay while Emma Peterson (So. - Superior, WI/Superior) buried a rebound for her fourth goal of the season to give Eau Claire the lead heading into the final frame.
The flood gates opened early in the third, as Wittig tallied her second goal and third point of the night with a goal within the first minute, taking advantage of a powerplay. The Blugolds would go on to score four more goals – three on the powerplay – and three in just over a minute span to put the game out of reach. The Auggies would score in the last minute of the period but it was too little, too late as Eau Claire earned the road win.
Connolly finished the night with 24 saves and improves to 9-3-2 on the season. Eau Claire held a 31-26 advantage in shots but were an impressive 4-for-7 on the powerplay. Wittig would finish the game with two goals and two assists to put her season total to a team-leading 22 points.
The Blugolds (11-4-2) will return to WIAC play this weekend as they travel to UW–Superior on Friday for a 7 p.m. start and host the Yellowjackets on Saturday at 2 p.m. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app on your mobile device.