SAINT PAUL, MINN - The Hamline University women's hockey team welcomed UW-Eau Claire to Tria Rink for a non-conference Tuesday night game. The Blugolds came into the game ranked ninth in the nation while Hamline is receiving votes to be in the top 25 so we knew it was going to be a competitive contest from start to finish. This was a battle from the beginning but Eau Claire came away with the 2-1 victory thanks to some amazing late game saves by Josie Mathison. 
 
Hamline falls to 7-3, while UW-Eau Claire improves to 8-3 on the season. 
 
UW-Eau Claire 2, Hamline 1
 
The Blugolds got the scoring started early with a goal in the first minute of the game on a power play from Sam Bandholz to make the score 1-0. Both goalies were stout from there on until late in the second period when the Pipers junior forward, Haley Eder-Zdechlik scored to tie the game 1-1 with four minutes remaining in the second period. Early on in the third the Kylie Wiltse broke the tie for the Blugolds making the score 2-1. Hamline pulled the goalie late in the game leading to scoring chances from a pair of Piper forwards but goalie, Josie Mathison for Eau Claire held the Pipers scoreless, not allowing the comeback to make the final score 2-1. 
 
Hamline won the faceoff battle by winning 23 while the visiting Blugolds came away with 20. The Pipers goalie Olivia Rinzel made 15 saves while her counterpart Josie Mathison recorded 18. 
 
The Pipers next head to South Carolina on December 30th to play Bowdoin at 4 p.m.