By Anna Sveiven, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team hosts the College of St. Benedict in the season's home opener. Eau Claire would win their season's home opener 4 to 2.
Both the Blugolds and the Bennies were evenly matched in the 1st period, battling for the advantage. The Blugolds Eden Gruber (So.-Wausau/West) would score the first goal of the evening at 19:29 with assists from Taylar Meier (So.-River Falls/Columbine (CO)) and Hattie Verstegen (So.-Oshkosh/North). The Blugolds would end the 1st period with the 1 to 0 lead.
Eau Claire would start the 2nd period with high energy off the late goal in the first period. The Blugolds would control the period with aggressive attacks on the Bennies defense. Eau Claire would score late in the second at 18:07 with a power play goal from Hanna Zavoral (Sr.-St.Paul,MN/Highland Park) with an assist from Bree Osborne (Sr.-West St. Paul,MN/Cretin-Derham Hall). The Blugolds would have a quick turn around with an unassisted goal coming from Samantha Scherling (Jr.-Rogers,MN) at 19:15. The Blugolds would end the period with the 3 to 0 lead.
In the 3rd period St. Ben's would score early with a power play goal at 6:06. Verstegen would answer back quickly only 16 seconds later bringing the Blugolds to a 4 to 1 lead. The back-and-forth match would continue with a second power play goal from St. Ben's at 11:42. Eau Claire would end the 3rd period with the 4 to 2 victory over St. Bens.
Stephanie Martin (Sr.-Yorktown,VA/Tabb) faced 16 shots and saved 14, earning her the win in the net for the night.
Starting the season off with a win, the Blugolds stay at home for game two against the Bennies on Saturday, October 30th for a 2 PM puck drop.
Follow the Blugolds this season at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
