STEVENS POINT, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team used a strong first two periods to skate past UW-Stevens Point 4-1 on the road on Friday. The Blugolds struck twice in the opening period and never looked back in a WIAC victory.
Sadie Long (So. - Farmington, Minn.) got the Blugolds on the board first in the second half of the first period. She hit the back of the net unassisted with 7:48 remaining to put UW-Eau Claire ahead 1-0. Hallie Sheridan (Sr. - Fergus Falls, Minn.) doubled the advantage six and a half minutes later. She scored off an assist from Emily Hart with 1:14 remaining to give the Blugolds a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.
The Pointers scored a goal early in the second period to pull within one, but a strong response from the Blugolds helped seal the victory. Sophie Rausch (Sr. - Fergus Falls, Minn.) struck off an assist from Quinn Hartmetz (So. - Phoenixville, Pa./Gimour Academy) just under seven minutes after UW-Stevens Point scored. It was Rausch's 26th goal of the season.
Sheridan provided some insurance for the Blugolds in the final two minutes of the second period. She tallied her second goal of the game off an assist from Rausch to stretch the lead to 4-1 and complete the scoring. Neither side was able to break through for a goal in the third period.
Stephanie Martin (Sr. - Yorktown, Va./Tabb) made 18 saves in net to earn her 15th victory of the season. The Blugolds outshot the Pointers 41-19, and successfully killed five penalties.
UW-Eau Claire improved to 16-3-1 overall and 7-1-0 in the WIAC with the victory. The Blugolds and Pointers will complete their two-game series on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Hobbs Ice Arena. The finale is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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