By Anna Sveiven, UWEC Sports Information
RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugold.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team won their second-straight O'Brien Cup on Saturday night, defeating UW-River Falls 7-3 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship (presented by Culver's).
Eau Claire found the back of the net first a with a goal from Erin Goodell (Sr-Maplewood, MN). But the tables turned with River Falls scoring two goals before the Blugolds would strike back with three unanswered goals. The first was a powerplay goal from Monica Sjodin (Sr-Anoka, MN/Anoka) while the next two came just 20 seconds apart. Kelly Knetter (Sr-Wausau, WI/West) and Hanna Zavoral (So-St. Paul, MN/Highland Park) would get credit for the goals as the Blugolds took a 4-2 lead into the first intermission.
The second period saw a lot of back and forth play between the Blugolds and the Falcons, but Eau Claire's Courtney Wittig (Sr-Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) would score the lone goal of the period. Elizabeth Bauer (Jr-Wausau, WI/Wausau East) would earn her second assist of the night on the goal as the Blugolds held a 5-2 lead heading into the third period.
With another back and forth period, the Falcons would tally their first goal since midway through the first, but Wittig answered right back with her second goal of the night to seal the win.
Goaltender Erin Connolly (Jr-Mequon, WI/Homestead) recorded 36 saves on the night, recording her 16th win of the season.
The Blugolds (21-5-2) will now await to see if they are selected for the NCAA tournament. The 2019 championship bracket will be released Monday, March 4 at 9 a.m. on NCAA.com.
