Issued: November 7, 2003

WOMEN'S HOCKY TIES IN SEASON OPENER

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team allowed a shorthanded goal with 1:18 left in the game but held tight in overtime to kick of the 2003-04 season with a 2-2 tie against St. Olaf here tonight at Hobbs Ice Arena.

The Blugolds and the Oles go to 0-0-1 for the season as the game marked the season opener for both squads.

Eau Claire got the scoring started early in the first period when Claire Parda (So.-Waukesha) took a pass from Tara Hayner (Fr.-Stillwater, MN) and shot it into the Ole net to give the Blugolds a 1-0 lead.

After a St. Olaf power play goal, Eau Claire regained the lead when Hayner shot the puck on goal and Amanda Schultz (So.-Stevens Point/SPASH) took the rebound and hit net to put the Blugolds ahead 2-1 with 8:01 left in the first period.

After a flurry of goals in the opening 12 minutes, both defenses stepped up big and held each team scoreless until just 1:18 remained in the game. The Oles were playing shorthanded but Kate Barnett intercepted a Blugold pass and headed down ice on a one on none breakaway opportunity and scored the game-tying goal.

Neither team was able to break the tie in the remaining seconds or in the five minute overtime period.

Tara Berlute (Jr.-Bloomington, MN/Holy Angels) played all 65 minutes in goal, saving 22 shots.

Eau Claire will battle St. Olaf in a rematch tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Hobbs Ice Arena.

Eau Claire 2, St. Olaf 2

Scoring

1P: EC-Claire Parda (Tara Hayner), 4:09; SO-Maria Richardson (Brit Schultheis), 5:42pp; EC-Amanda Schultz (Hayner), 11:59.

2P: No Scoring.

3P: SO-Kate Barnett (Erin Baxer), 18:42sh.

OT: No Scoring.

Shots: EC 28, SO 26
Saves: EC 22, SO 26
Power Plays: EC 0 for 3, SO 1 for 5
Penalties: EC 5 for 10, SO 3 for 6
Records: EC 0-0-1, SO 0-0-1