Box Score Kellye Nelson (Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial) scored 7:01 into overtime to put the UW-Stevens Point women's hockey team into the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association playoff finals for the sixth straight year with a 3-2 win over UW-River Falls on Friday in Superior.

Nelson scored off an assist from Madison Darud (Apple Valley, MN/Eastview) as the three-time defending playoff champion Pointers improved to 17-6-2 overall and advance to face UW-Superior in the finals for the second straight year on Saturday at 6 p.m. The Yellowjackets beat Lake Forest 3-1 in the second semifinal.

It was the sixth goal of the season and the first career game-winning goal for Nelson, a freshman forward from Lino Lakes, Minn. The Pointers also improved to 3-0 all-time in postseason sudden-death overtime games.

UW-River Falls scored just 6:13 into the game on a goal from Stefanie Schmitz and led 1-0 after one period. However, UW-Stevens Point was in control for much of the remainder of the game, firing 16 shots on goal in each of the next two periods. The Pointers tied the game late in the second period on a goal following a nifty move by Michelle Sosnowski (Plainfield, IL/Plainfield Central) that was assisted by Tracy Butler (Marshfield/Marshfield).

It didn't appear the Pointers would need overtime for the victory when Sosnowski scored again with 3:03 left in the third period for a 2-1 lead. UW-Stevens Point had numerous shots on UW-River Falls' goalie Amber Lindner, who was finally beaten for the go-ahead goal that was assisted by Chris Hanson (South St. Paul, MN/South St. Paul) and Nicole Grossmann (Lindstrom, MN/Chisago Lakes). However, the celebration proved to be premature as Schmitz converted a breakaway goal with 1:22 remaining to force overtime.

UW-Stevens Point launched 53 shots on goal as Lindner finished with 50 saves. Amy Statz (Wisconsin Rapids/Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) made 25 saves on 27 shots by the Falcons. The Pointers held a 6-2 advantage in shots in the overtime.