DE PERE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team concluded their weekend series against St. Norbert on Saturday afternoon. The Blugolds overcame a first period deficit with three goals in the third period to earn a 4-2 victory over the Green Knights.
The opening period held a momentum tilt in favor of St. Norbert as the Green Knights found the game's first tally at the 6:43 mark. Special teams play was a factor once again for Eau Claire as they accumulated 16 penalty minutes on 4 infractions. UW-Eau Claire was successful in their lone penalty kill of the first period as they trailed 1-0 heading into the first intermission.
In the second period, UWEC found their first two powerplay chances of the afternoon. On the second man advantage, Sophie Rausch (Sr. – Fergus Falls, Minn.) found the tying goal for Eau Claire with just over five minutes to go in the frame. Rausch's 18th goal and 5th powerplay goal of the year was assisted by Emily Hart (Sr. – Red Wing, Minn.) and Hallie Sheridan (Sr. – Fergus Falls, Minn.). The Blugolds kept the Green Knights to zero shots on goal in the second as the teams went into the third period tied at 1-1.
Rausch wasted no time finding her second tally of the afternoon as she lit the lamp and gave Eau Claire the lead just two minutes into the final frame. Quinn Hartmetz (So. – Phoenixville, Pa./Gilmour Academy) received the single assist on the go-ahead goal. St. Norbert found a quick answer just two minutes later to tie the game at 2-2. Hallie Sheridan the flurry of goals didn't stop there as Hallie Sheridan helped UWEC regain their lead at the 4:24 mark. Sheridan's eventual game-winning goal was assisted by Sophie Rausch and Sami Scherling (Sr. – Rogers, Minn.). The Blugolds controlled a majority of the play for the remainder of the game as they outshot the Green Knight 12-3 in the final 20 minutes of play. Sheridan netted her 8th goal of the season on an empty net with 34 seconds left in the contest to seal the 4-2 win for Eau Claire.
Stephanie Martin (Sr. – Yorktown, Va./Tabb) stopped 10 of the 12 shots she faced to earn her 10th victory of the season. Martin is now 10-2-0 on the year.
The Blugolds (11-3, WIAC 3-1) will return to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play on Friday, January 13th when they host UW-Superior at Hobbs Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7PM.
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