EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point women's hockey team (12-14-0) again battled No. 5 UW-Eau Claire (22-4-0) to a one-goal game, coming up short, 3-2, in the first game of the WIAC Tournament semifinals (presented by Culver's).
 
Haley Sellers (Kenosha, Wis./Milwaukee Jr. Admirals) scored her eighth of the season at the 9:20 mark of the first. Her power-play goal was assisted by Laina Berthiaume (South Haven, Minn./Hutchinson) and Ryan Ruoho (Madison, Wis./James Madison Memorial) as UWSP led after one.
 
The Blugolds took a 2-1 lead with a pair of goals in the first half of the second period.
 
Annika Horman (Appleton, Wis./North) pulled the Pointers even at the 12:22 mark of the second period. Ruoho got her second assist of the game, her first multi-point game in a UWSP sweater. Mary Kremer (Sussex, Wis./Arrowhead Warhawks) also had an assist as the game headed to the third tied, 2-2.
 
UWEC took the lead for good just 1:52 into the third period. The Pointers tested UWEC goaltender Stephanie Martin five times in the third to no avail.
 
Olivia Schultz (Maplewood, Minn./Tartan) had 46 saves for the Pointers. Martin had 10 saves for UWEC.
 
The Pointers and Blugolds play game two of the semifinals on Saturday (Feb. 26) puck drop is slated for 2:00 p.m.