By Nick Hoven, UWEC Sports Information
Eau Claire, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team returned to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Thursday as they traveled to UW-Superior to take on the Yellowjackets. After a scoreless opening period, the Blugolds exploded with five goals in the latter two periods to win 5-1.
With an even tilted game going into the second frame, Ella Ierino (So. – Duluth, MN) and Olivia Smallbrock (Fr. – Kasson, MN) would tally back to back goals to put Eau Claire up 2-0 just before the halfway mark of the contest.
The home team would get one goal of their own before the middle frame would end, making it 2-1 going into the third.
The final 20 minutes would belong to the team in blue as the Blugolds outshot their opponents 10-6 and rattled off three goals to complete the win. Elizabeth Bauer (Sr. – Wausau, WI/East) scored her team leading tenth goal of the year and Hanna Zavoral (Jr. – St. Paul, MN/Highland Park) recorded an assist bringing her team lead in assists up to 11.
Goaltender Erin Connolly (Sr. – Mequon, WI/Homestead) stopped 20 of the 21 she faced for her 11th win of the season. Connolly is now 11-1-1 on the year.
The Blugolds will face UW-Superior again on Saturday, January 16th at Hobbs Ice Arena in Eau Claire, WI. Puck drop is scheduled for 7PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
