RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The top-seeded and No. 4-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team defeated No. 2 seed and No. 5-ranked UW-Eau Claire by a score of 6-3 Saturday afternoon at Hunt Arena, capturing the WIAC Tournament Championship.
UWRF improves to 26-1 overall with its 19th consecutive victory while earning the program's seventh WIAC O'Brien Cup since 2014. The Falcons' 26 wins also ties a UWRF program record, matching the win totals from the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons.
After the Falcons took a 4-1 lead with a pair of early second period power play goals from seniors
Kora Torkelson and
Callie Hoff, the Blugolds answered with two-straight goals, trimming the UWRF led to 4-3 heading into the third period.
UWRF was strong in the third period, out-shooting UWEC 13-9 while scoring another two goals while holding the Blugolds scoreless in the final 20 minutes.
Bailey Olson scored just over a minute into the final period and Torkelson picked up her second goal of the game at the 11-minute mark to seal the win.
The Falcons went 2-for-4 on the power play, while the Blugolds were successful one one of two power play chances. UWRF has scored at least one power play goal in 19 of 27 games this season.
Behind Torkelson's two-goal effort,
Maddie McCollins and
Alyson Niebur also added goals.
Abigail Stow led the Falcons with three assists.
Goaltender
Sami Miller tallied 25 saves to improve her record to 15-1 on the season.
Fans can view the NCAA selection show on Sunday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. at
NCAA.com to find out the Falcons' fait in the NCAA Women's Hockey Division III Tournament.Â
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