EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team was back at home on Wednesday evening as the wrapped up their nonconference schedule with St. Scholastica in town. Sophie Rausch (Sr. – Fergus Falls, Minn.) set the single season program records for goals (28) and points (42) with a pair of goals in the second period and an assist in the third, as the Blugolds defeated the Saints 5-2.

Box Score

The Blugolds dominated their home ice from the first period as they outshot the Saints 37-5 during the contest. Taylor Holm (Fr. – Maple Grove, Minn.) found Eau Claire's first tally of the night at the 10:01 mark of the opening period to put UWEC up 1-0. The early lead held through the remainder of the first period as the Blugolds controlled the possession.

The second period, held a momentum shift early after St. Scholastica scored twice in the first eight minutes of the frame. The one goal deficit was short lived for the Blugolds as Sophie Rausch netted her ninth powerplay goal of the season to tie the single season record for goals. Four minutes later, Rausch beat the Scholastica netminder again to become the single season leader in goals (28). Rausch's eventual game winning goal set her tied for the single season record for points. Rausch now holds the NCAA Division III for goals scored (28) and powerplay goals (9).

Special teams play was present in the final two periods as the teams combined for 18 minutes on nine infractions. The Blugolds kept the Saints to minimal opportunities as they were successful on the four short handed situations they were faced with.

In the third, Ellie Anderson (So. – Fergus Falls, Minn.) would help make history once again as Anderson tallied her third goal of the year on a pass from Sophie Rausch to help Rausch break the single season point record. Rausch's 42^nd point of the season has her tied for fourth in all of Division III. Sadie Long (So. – Farmington, Minn.) added the second Blugold powerplay goal of the night in the final minutes to seal the 5-2 win at home.

Stephanie Martin (Sr. – Yorktown, Va./Tabb) stopped three of the five shots she faced in her 17^th win of the season. Martin's record improves to 17-2-1 on the year.

The Blugolds (18-3-1, WIAC 8-1) will return to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play on Saturday, February 11^th when the host Northland College. UWEC will celebrate Senior Day with a 2PM puck drop.

Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.