EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point women's hockey team (11-7-2, 1-3-1) conceded two third-period goals as the home standing UW-Eau Claire Blugolds (12-6-3, 1-3-1) took the series opener, 4-3, on Saturday night.
 
Freshman Shannon Motzko (Woodbury, MN/Woodbury) tied the game at 1-1 at the 11:36 mark of the first period.  Her second goal of the season was assisted by Alex Grubbs (Minong, WI/Spooner).
 
Later in the first, senior Ali Biagini (Stillwater, MN/Stillwater) gave the Pointers a 2-1 lead with her team-leading eighth goal of the year.  Cara Lemirande (Janesville, WI/Madison Capitols) picked up her team-best 11th assist on the power-play goal.
 
After the Blugolds tied the game early in the second, Grubbs netted an unassisted tally to regain the lead, 3-2, at the 10:58 mark.
 
UWEC scored twice in the third period, a power-play goal just 3:23 into the period to tie the game and an even-strength goal with only 1:11 remaining.
 
Sydney Conley (South St. Paul, MN/South St. Paul) made 46 saves for the Pointers.  UWEC goaltender Erin Connolly stopped 22 UWSP shots.
 
The Pointers and Blugolds continue the season series on Friday (Feb. 2) in Eau Claire at 7:00 p.m.  The Series concludes at Ice Hawks Arena on Saturday, Feb. 3.  Puck drop is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and it will be Senior Day for the Pointers.