By Anna Sveiven, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey team hosted UW-Stevens Point Pointers in the first game of the semifinals for the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship (presented by Culver's) on Friday, February 25th. The Blugolds would come out on top with the 3-2 victory over the Pointers.
The first period would have both teams battling for the first goal. The Pointers would be the first to find the back of the next with a power play goal, giving Stevens Point the 1-0 lead.
The second period would bring a lot of action for both goalies. The Blugolds would fight in front of the net with Hallie Sheridan (Jr.-Fergus Falls, MN/Fergus Falls) and Samantha Scherling (Jr.-Rogers, MN/Rogers) assisting Emma Peterson (Sr.-Superior, WI/Superior) at 6:35 for the first Blugold goal. Eau Claire wouldn't take long to tally another goal at 9 minutes as Hattie Verstegen (So.-Oshkosh/North) would score the second goal with assists coming from Jordyn McAlpine (Jr.-Stillwater, MN/Mahtomedi) and Taylar Meier (So.-River Falls, WI/Columbine (CO)), bringing the Blugolds to a 2-1 lead. Stevens Point would answer back evening the game out at 2-2 going into the final period of the game.
The final 20 minutes of the game would be a back-and-forth match between the Blugolds and the Pointers for the win. The Blugolds would put the pressure on the Pointers as they would score early in the period with a pass from Danielle Slominski (Jr.-Becker, MN/Princeton) to Hanna Zavoral (Sr.-St.Paul,MN/Highland Park) for the final goal of the evening at 1:52. Eau Claire would out-shoot Stevens Point 49-12 earning the Blugolds a hard fought win 3-2 win.
Stephanie Martin (Sr.-Yorktown,VA/Tabb) tallied 10 saves on the evening and is 18-3-0 in net for the Blugolds.
The Blugolds (22-4-0) will continue WIAC Championship play as they host Stevens Point (12-14-0) on Saturday, February 26th for a 2 PM puck drop.
Follow the Blugolds all postseason on Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC BLUGOLDS.
