EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The No. 4-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team shut out No. 5-ranked UW-Eau Claire 2-0 Saturday evening to clinch the 2021-22 WIAC regular season title.
UWRF earns the weekend sweep over the Blugolds with its 16th consecutive win, wrapping up the regular season with a 23-1 overall record and 8-1 mark during league play. Both the Falcons and Blugolds finished with 24 points in the conference standings, but with a 2-1 season series lead for UWRF, the Falcons clinched the regular season crown and the No. 1 seed for the WIAC Tournament.
The WIAC regular season title marks the eighth in program history and eighth in the last nine seasons since entering the WIAC in 2014.
After a scoreless first period,
Alex Hantge scored the eventual game-winner at 7:46 of the second period, assisted by
Callie Hoff.
UWEC led 24-15 in shots on goal, while Falcon netminder
Sami Miller made 24 saves en route to her fifth shutout of the season. The UWRF defense also turned away three Blugold power play opportunities.
The home team pulled its goaltender for the extra attacker late in regulation, and
Emma Schmitz scored an empty net goal to seal the win.
UW-River Falls will host the winner of the No. 4/5 seed on Thursday, Feb. 24 for a WIAC Tournament Semifinal matchup at Hunt Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m.
