EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team hosted Game 1 of the O'Brien Cup Semifinals on Wednesday afternoon. After taking an early 1-0 lead, the Blugolds would use an aggressive third period to earn themselves a 4-1 win.
Eau Claire would strike first in the beginning period after Ella Ierino (Jr. – Duluth, MN) would bury a rebound on the right side. Ierino's 17th goal as a Blugold came at the five-minute mark and would hold as the only goal of the period.
The middle frame would swing the opposite direction. The Yellowjackets would capitalize on a loose rebound of their own, tying it at 1-1 with 11 minutes to go. Megan Dulong (UWS) would get credit for the equalizer.
In the third, the Blugolds would take the momentum back with a powerplay goal from Ierino just minutes into the period. Ierino's blast from the point would bounce off a defender and find the back of the net for the 2-1 lead. Later, Danielle Slominski (So. – Becker, MN/Princeton) and Maddy Jablonski (Fr. – Greenville, WI/Hortonville) would each earn goals of their own to increase the lead to three and seal the deal for UWEC.
Stephanie Martin (Jr. – Yorktown, VA/Tabb) stopped 24 of the 25 shots she faced for her first postseason win as a Blugold. Martin improves her record to 4-0-1 on the season.
The Blugolds will host Game 2 of the O'Brien Cup Semifinals on Friday, March 12th at Hobbs Ice Arena. Eau Claire and Superior are set to faceoff at 2PM.
Follow all the action all season long at Blugold Gameday.
