ST. PAUL, Minn. - The #10 Hamline women's hockey team (7-3-1) finished the 2019 portion of their schedule on a high note, defeating #5 UW-Eau Claire (8-2-1) 3-2 at TRIA Rink. The Pipers enter the long winter break with a three-game winning streak and having won five of their last six games.
 
With the win, Hamline was able to avenge an earlier loss to the Blugolds this season, as each team has won on their home ice.
 
Unlike their last matchup, it was the Blugolds who would score first with junior Emma Peterson getting her fifth goal of the season on a chaotic sequence in front of net on a power play at 14:50. The Pipers had killed off two penalties before this one, but were not so lucky the third time around, with UW-Eau Claire taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
 
Hamline tied it up in the second period with junior Madison Kolbow netting her third goal on a pass from Taylor Henthorne. Kolbow took the puck off the left board, got an open look, and found the top right corner of the net, making it 1-1.
 
The Blugolds took over the lead in the third period, with Morgan Zirbel completing a penalty and getting past the HU defense to get a breakaway goal at 12:29. First year Madison Davis, however, tied it right back up at 15:54, completing a passing sequence from teammates Olivia Arkell and Sophie Rausch.
 
In the final minute and a half of the game it was sophomore Molly Garin who would score the game-winner, taking a pass from Bre Simon and firing a shot past the Blugold goalie. UW-Eau Claire took three shots in the final minute of the game, but the Pipers were able to hold on for the 3-2 win.
 
Sophomore Jaela O'Brien recorded the win in net for Hamline, stopping 17 shots on the night, including eight in the final period to seal the victory. She is now 4-2-1 on the season.
 
HU has a long break before they compete again, hosting a pair of non-conference opponents at TRIA Rink in the first week of January. On Friday, January 3, the Pipers face off with St. Norbert at 5:00 p.m. and the following day, they take on Lake Forest at 3:00 p.m.