Box Score It was the type of game where a single goal would be huge challenge to achieve.

Hamline forward Melanie Bartenstein (24) rose to the challenge, picking an excellent time to net her first career goal in a 1-0 victory over UW-Eau Claire Friday at Oscar Johnson Arena. The sophomore broke free in the middle of the Blugold defensive zone, took a pass from Haleigh Bolton and whipped a shot home with 7:24 left in the third period to send the Pipers back over the .500 mark at 6-5-2 overall. The win achieved double importance because six is the sum total of Piper wins for all of the 2014-15 season. 

Bartenstein shared hero honors with sophomore goalie Jessica Cole. The Owatonna, Minn. native was superb, kicking out all 32 shots sent her way for her third shutout of the season. She was particularly sharp in the opening period when she knocked away 11 shots, many of which came because the Pipers were whistlked for the first four penalties of the game. After stopping five in the middle stanza, Cole was tested often in the third frame, handling all 16 shots sent her way, thus lowering her GAA to 1.42.

The game was open from the start as both Cole and WEC puckstopper Paige Turner were called upon to stop shooters who rambled in untouched. 

After Bartenstein broke the scoreless draw, the Blugolds turned up the heat. Turner was pulled for a sixth attacker with 2:28 left and a face off to Cole's right. it would be more than two minutes before the puck would leave the Piper end but Cole remain undaunted and Hu earned the victory in their last non-conference action of the year. 

Hamline now returns to MIAC play with a pair of games next weekend at Concordia. The Pipers have a 3-2-1 MIAC mark, which places them in a tie with St. Mary's for fifth place, the final playoff position. They will be tested by the Cobbers, who stand first in the league with a 5-1-0 slate.