Box Score Box Score

STEVENS POINT – The Pointers (10-4-1, 7-0) secured their second consecutive WIAC regular season title with a 3-1 victory over the previously unbeaten Blugold of UW-Eau Claire (8-5-2, 5-1-1). The title is the WIAC leading 13th for UW-Stevens Point.

The Pointers now sit at 7-0-0 in conference play and could finish undefeated for the 11th time with a win over UW-Superior on Oct. 24th. The Pointers secured the No. 1 seed for the six-team tournament which begins Nov. 3rd. The Pointers have received a first round bye and host a second round contest on Nov. 5th.

Kirsti Nickels (Appleton) led the way for the Pointers by recording a first half hat-trick. Nickels put the Pointers on the board in the first three minutes of the game by heading a pass from Jackie Spees (Wisconsin Rapids) past Blugold goaltender Emily Kidd. Nickels added her second goal eight minutes later when she took a pass from Vicki Bieschke (Oconomowoc) and slammed it into the corner of the goal.

The Blugold couldn't find a way to contain Nickels as she recorded her third goal and hat-trick in the 23rd minute when Brittany Boyer (West Bend) hit her with a pass for the shot attempt. The goals were the eighth, ninth, and 10th of the season for Nickels.

The Pointers kept the 3-0 lead until the 55th minute when Blugold forward Lisa Marco headed a corner kick from Megan Hillesheim past Pointer goalie Liz Hunter (Stevens Point). The Pointer defense stood tall the remainder of the match, resulting in the 3-1 conference win.

Hunter finished the day with four saves and the Pointers outshot the Blugold 15-11. The Pointers also enjoyed a 10-5 shot on goal advantage.

The Pointers return to action Wednesday, Oct. 21, when they host the Green Knights of St. Norbert College (7-6).