ASHLAND, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The No. 8 ranked University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team hit the road on Friday as they began Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play against Northland College. After a scoreless first period of play, UW-Eau Claire scored late in the second and twice in the third to earn a 3-1 victory over the Jills.
Despite a scoreless opening frame, the Blugolds kept a high offensive pressure, outshooting Northland 13-8. A fast-paced period saw limited whistles and only one powerplay opportunity for UWEC.
In the second, Eau Claire kept the pressure on as they outshot the Jills, 20-2. Another late period penalty for Northland would find the first goal of the evening as Sami Scherling (Sr. – Rogers, Minn.) found her second goal of the season on the player advantage. Sophie Rausch (Sr. – Fergus Falls, Minn.) and Hallie Sheridan (Sr. – Fergus Falls, Minn.) received assists on the opening goal to give Eau Claire a 1-0 after 40 minutes of play.
Sam Moehle (Fr. – Farmington, Minn.) wasted no time extending the Blugold lead in the third as Moehle recorded her first collegiate goal at the 1:49 of the 3rd to put UWEC up, 2-0. Quinn Hartmetz (So. – Phoenixville, Pa.) and Ellie Anderson (So. – Fergus Falls, Minn.) were given assists on Moehle's tally as the Blugolds once again outshot the Jills. Eau Claire finished the contest with 48 total shots on goal.
Sophie Rausch lit the lamp for Eau Claire halfway through the final period of play to bring the Eau Claire lead to 3-0 and increase her team lead to seven. Sami Scherling and Ava Bullert (Fr. – North Oaks, Minn./Mounds View) tallied assists on the final Eau Claire goal.
Northland added a powerplay goal of their own with under two minutes left for a 3-1 final in Eau Claire's favor.
Stephanie Martin (Sr. – Yorktown, Va./Tabb) stopped 11 of the 12 shots she faced on the night for her fourth win of the year. Martin is now 4-0-0 on the year.
The Blugolds (4-1, WIAC 0-0) will stay on the road for another WIAC contest on Saturday, November 12th as they travel to UW-Superior to face the Yellowjackets. Puck drop is scheduled for 7PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
