Blugolds fall hard to Lake Forest in the first game of the NCHA 4-0
Friday night loss spells end of season for women's hockey with an overall record of 12-11-3
Ben Peterson
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Sports
The Blugolds' 2008-'09 season came to a screeching halt with a 4-0 loss against Lake Forest, Ill., in the first game of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs last Friday.
"They scored two in the second and put us back on our heels," coach Mike Collins said. "They played well and took advantage of a couple of opportunities."
It was the third time this year that Eau Claire didn't tally a goal - capping off a late-season crumble that ultimately led to the Blugolds' demise.
Eau Claire started the first 16 games of the season with a 10-3-3 record, including a 7-0-2 record at home.
After a 3-5 upset loss to last-place Finlandia, Mich., the Blugolds slowly began to fall apart.
They finished the last 10 games of the season with a 2-8 record - 1-3 at home and 1-5 on the road.
Despite the rough finish, Eau Claire finished the season playing some of the best fundamental hockey it played all year. The Blugolds never struggled to put shots on the net, however, putting pucks in the net was a different story.
Was the opposing defense strong? Yes. Were the opposing goalies stronger? Definitely. But the 'Golds had just one hole in their offensive scheme.
Rebounds.
Though other goalies like Alyssa Wintermute (Lake Forest) and Cassi Campbell (River Falls) often stood on their heads to make saves that baffled Eau Claire's offense, many times they allowed rebounds to kick wide open across the crease - leaving parts of the goal unprotected and open for the Blugolds to take advantage of.
It was simply the "year of the goalie" in the NCHA.
"They key to any program is great goaltending," Collins said. "If you have a good goalie in the net, you just helped yourself tremendously."
Morgan Pieper was a workhorse in the net for Eau Claire.
The freshman played in 20 games this season and averaged just over two goals allowed per game. She finished with a .901 save percentage.
Sophomore Kristin Faber led the Eau Claire offense with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) followed by senior Lauren Havard with 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists).
Havard, as well as Margaret Campbell are the only two seniors on the team - a team which will return 19-of-21 players next year.
"Looking forward, we'll definitely miss our two captains," Collins said. "It is an extremely young team and I'm excited about them coming back a year older."
"They scored two in the second and put us back on our heels," coach Mike Collins said. "They played well and took advantage of a couple of opportunities."
It was the third time this year that Eau Claire didn't tally a goal - capping off a late-season crumble that ultimately led to the Blugolds' demise.
Eau Claire started the first 16 games of the season with a 10-3-3 record, including a 7-0-2 record at home.
After a 3-5 upset loss to last-place Finlandia, Mich., the Blugolds slowly began to fall apart.
They finished the last 10 games of the season with a 2-8 record - 1-3 at home and 1-5 on the road.
Despite the rough finish, Eau Claire finished the season playing some of the best fundamental hockey it played all year. The Blugolds never struggled to put shots on the net, however, putting pucks in the net was a different story.
Was the opposing defense strong? Yes. Were the opposing goalies stronger? Definitely. But the 'Golds had just one hole in their offensive scheme.
Rebounds.
Though other goalies like Alyssa Wintermute (Lake Forest) and Cassi Campbell (River Falls) often stood on their heads to make saves that baffled Eau Claire's offense, many times they allowed rebounds to kick wide open across the crease - leaving parts of the goal unprotected and open for the Blugolds to take advantage of.
It was simply the "year of the goalie" in the NCHA.
"They key to any program is great goaltending," Collins said. "If you have a good goalie in the net, you just helped yourself tremendously."
Morgan Pieper was a workhorse in the net for Eau Claire.
The freshman played in 20 games this season and averaged just over two goals allowed per game. She finished with a .901 save percentage.
Sophomore Kristin Faber led the Eau Claire offense with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) followed by senior Lauren Havard with 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists).
Havard, as well as Margaret Campbell are the only two seniors on the team - a team which will return 19-of-21 players next year.
"Looking forward, we'll definitely miss our two captains," Collins said. "It is an extremely young team and I'm excited about them coming back a year older."
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