By Nick Hoven, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team hosted the UW-Stevens Point Pointers in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship (presented by Culver's) semifinal round on Saturday. After a win in game 1, the Blugolds continued their dominance to earn a 5-0 win.
The first period would carry momentum from a day before as the Blugolds would open the scoring with just five minutes remaining in the period. Sami Meister (Sr. – Plymouth, MN/Wayzata) would score her third goal of the season for the period's only goal.
Eau Claire wouldn't stop there as Morgan Zirbel (Jr. – Green Bay, WI/Ashwaubenon) would get loose on a breakaway and beat the Pointer goalie five-hole to make it a 2-0 lead. The Blugolds continued their pressure throughout the frame and would be rewarded late with their third goal.
Taylor Treu (Jr. – Wausau, WI/West) would take a wide-angled shot from the right side of the zone and beat the sprawling goalie for her fourth goal of the year.
In the third period, the Blugolds would run away with the game by scoring twice and outshooting the Pointers 13-2. Ella Ierino (So. – Duluth, MN) and Bree Osborne (Jr. – West St. Paul, MN/Cretin Derham Hall) would each get a tally to help secure the victory.
Goaltender Erin Connolly (Sr. – Mequon, WI/Homestead) stopped all 10 shots she faced in her 8th shutout of the year. Connolly is now 20-2-2 on the year.
The Blugolds will host the WIAC Championship game on Saturday, March 7th as they take on the UW-River Falls Falcons with the start time yet to be announced.
Follow the Blugolds all postseason long on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
