SUPERIOR, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team completed their Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) weekend series against UW-Superior on Saturday evening. The Blugolds' special teams' play was a key contributor to their relentless offense as UWEC took down the Yellowjackets, 3-0.
Between the two teams, 13 penalties were called during the course of the 60 minute contest. Eau Claire found themselves with eight powerplay opportunities and converted twice to help secure the series sweep.
In the first period, Sadie Long (So. – Farmington, Minn.) recorded her fifth goal and first powerplay goal of the season at the 10:58 mark. Sydney Johnson (Jr. – Apple Valley, Minn) earned the solo assist on the contest's first tally. Just six minutes later, Sophie Rausch (Sr. – Fergus Falls, Minn.) extended the Blugold lead with her team leading 20th goal of the season. Rausch's even strength goal puts her second in all of NCAA DIII with 20 goals on the year. Hallie Sheridan (Sr. – Fergus Falls, Minn.) and Samantha Scherling (Sr. – Rogers, Minn.) earned the assists on UWEC's second goal of the period.
As the game continued, the Eau Claire offense continued to press as they accumulated 43 shots on the evening. Eden Gruber (Jr. – Wausau, Wis./West) found the final goal of the evening on the powerplay with less than two minutes left in the middle frame. Sadie Long and Taylar Meier (Jr. – River Falls, Wis./Columbine) were credited with assists on Gruber's seventh tally of the year.
Both squads were kept off the scoresheet in the third period as Eau Claire earned the 3-0 win on the road.
Stephanie Martin (Sr. – Yorktown, Va./Tabb) stopped all 13 shots she faced in her fourth shutout of the season. Martin improves her record to 11-2-0.
The Blugolds (13-3-0, WIAC 5-1) will return home on Wednesday, January 18th for a nonconference matchup against Augsburg University at Hobbs Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
