By Anna Sveiven, UWEC Sports Information
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team faced the top-seeded University of St. Thomas on Saturday in the NCAA Division III Quarterfinal, with the Blugolds falling to the Tommies by a score of 4-3.
In the first period there would be plenty of shots and big saves by goaltender Erin Connolly (Jr-Mequon, WI/Homestead) that would keep the Blugolds tied 0-0 with the Tommies going in to the second.
The second period would continue to be a back and forth battle, but St. Thomas would be the first to score. However, Eau Claire would answer back with two goals of their own. The first would be a power play goal coming at 11:47 from Elizabeth Bauer (Jr-Wausau, WI/East). The second would be from Holly Turnbull (Sr-Hayward, WI) at 18:01 to give the Blugolds a 2-1 advantage heading into the third.
The Tommies would take control in the final period, scoring three goals including an empty netter. Courtney Wittig (Sr-Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) would score the final goal for the Blugolds in the last 15 seconds but it would not be enough as Eau Claire would fall, 4-3.
The Blugolds end their season with a record of 21-6-2, setting another school record for wins in a season for the third-straight year.
