SAINT PAUL, MINN.—The Hamline University women's hockey team closed the 2021 portion of their schedule with a Tuesday-night showdown against No. 2 UW-Eau Claire at TRIA Rink. Down 2-1, the Pipers were within striking distance of tying things late in the game with a power-play opportunity that begin at 16:35 of the third period, but the Blugolds' would convert a short-handed tally and an empty netter within the final 1:30 to lock a 4-1 victory.

The Pipers fall to 6-4, while UW-Eau Claire stays unbeaten at 11-0.

UW-Eau Claire 4, Hamline 1

The Blugolds converted a goal on their second shot of the game courtesy of Taylar Meier at 1:19 of the first to make the score 1-0, before going into the first intermission with a 2-0 edge behind Hallie Sheridan's goal at 13:44.

The Pipers' first shot of the second period resulted in a goal, as Lauren Donnellan's first of the season cut her team's deficit to 2-1 0:48 into the frame. Sophie Rausch and Molly Garin each notched assists on the play.

The end result could've gone either way as Hamline was inches away from tying the game late in the third period when Emily Hart's checking penalty put them on the power play. Jordan Hansen, Hannah Dorsey, and Elizabeth Valley each peppered shots in the player advantage, before Eau Claire's Addie Young notched a short-handed tally at 18:34 of the third to extend the score to 3-1, 0:01 remaining on Hart's penalty.  The Blugolds put the game away with Sheridan's empty-net goal with 0:07 left in the game to make things final at 4-1.

The Blugolds outshot Hamline 37-26.

McKenna Hulslander made 33 saves in net for the Pipers, while Stephanie Martin stopped 25 shots for the Blugolds.

Hamline will host Lake Forest on Friday, January 7 at 5:00 p.m.