RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The top-seeded and No. 1-ranked UW-River Falls women's hockey team, in front of over 1,000 fans at Hunt Arena, won 2-1 in overtime over No. 2 seed and No. 6-ranked UW-Eau Claire Saturday afternoon in the WIAC O'Brien Cup Tournament Championship game.
Not only did UWRF extend its program record win streak with its fifth consecutive WIAC Tournament title and ninth O'Brien Cup in program history, the Falcons' 28th win breaks a UWRF record for wins in a season.
The Falcons rallied from a one-goal deficit to force overtime, and
Kenzie Dunn scored the game-winner six minutes into the OT period.
After a pair of scoreless and high-paced first two periods, UWEC broke the shutout just over three minutes into the third period as Ellie Anderson gave the Blugolds a 1-0 lead.
UWRF totaled 22 shots on goal through the first two periods and while 22 totaled blocked shots by the Blugolds held the Falcons off the board.
Maddie McCollins had an answer though, scoring near the midway point of the third period off a pass from
Aubrey Nelvin to the tie the game at 1-1 and eventually force overtime.
The final shot count was 38-20 in favor of UWRF, with faceoffs deadlocked at 25-25.
Jordan O'Connor made 19 saves to earn the win in net.
The Falcons, now 28-0 overall, will await an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The tournament selection show can be viewed on
NCAA.com tomorrow evening, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.
