EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point women's hockey team (13-13-2) gave up two third-period goals as UW-Eau Claire (18-7-1) ended the Pointers season with a 3-2 win in the second semifinal of the WIAC O'Brien Cup (presented by Culver's) on Saturday.
 
The host Blugolds took a 1-0 lead with a power play goal at the 14:55 mark of the first period.  UWSP answered right back, netting a power play goal of its own less than two minutes later.  Cara Lemirande (Janesville, WI/Craig) scored with Mackenzie Kratch (Waconia, MN/Waconia) and Ellie Punnett (Hailey, ID/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame) assisting on the play.
 
In the second period, Lauren Smith (Antigo, WI/Antigo) broke a 1-1 tie with the Pointers' second power play goal of the game.  Senior Meredith Ingbretson (Hayward, WI/Hayward) and sophomore Logan Harper (Gurnee, IL/Warren Township) tallied assists.
 
UW-Eau Claire erased the Pointers' lead just 1:07 into the third period.  Lauren Norgren netted the only even strength goal of the game to knot the score 2-2.
 
Later in the third period, the Pointers were called for a penalty giving the Blugolds a late power play.  The home side scored the game-winner with just 2:41 remaining to eliminate UWSP.
 
UWEC out-shot the Pointers, 23-21.  Ingbretson and Ali Biagini (Stillwater, MN/Stillwater) led UWSP with five shots apiece. Freshman goalkeeper Marit Larson (Oakdale, MN/North St. Paul) made 20 saves for the Pointers.  Erin Conolly stopped 19 of UWSP's shots.