|
Nelson's Overtime
Goal Puts Pointers Back in Final
Box
Score
Kellye Nelson scored 7:01 into overtime to put the
UW-Stevens Point women�s hockey team into the Northern Collegiate Hockey
Association playoff finals for the sixth straight year with a 3-2 win over
UW-River Falls on Friday in Superior.
Nelson scored off an assist from Madison Darud as
the three-time defending playoff champion Pointers improved to 17-6-2
overall and advance to face UW-Superior in the finals
for the second straight year on Saturday at 6 p.m. The Yellowjackets beat
Lake Forest 3-1 in the second semifinal.
It was the sixth goal of the season and the first
career game-winning goal for Nelson, a freshman forward from Lino Lakes,
Minn. The Pointers also improved to 3-0 all-time in postseason sudden-death
overtime games.
UW-River Falls scored just 6:13 into the game on a
goal from Stefanie Schmitz and led 1-0 after one period. However, UW-Stevens
Point was in control for much of the remainder of the game, firing 16 shots
on goal in each of the next two periods. The Pointers tied the game late in
the second period on a goal following a nifty move by Michelle Sosnowski
that was assisted by Tracy Butler.
It didn�t appear the Pointers would need overtime
for the victory when Sosnowski scored again with 3:03 left in the third
period for a 2-1 lead. UW-Stevens Point had numerous shots on UW-River
Falls� goalie Amber Lindner, who was finally beaten for the go-ahead goal
that was assisted by Chris Hanson and Nicole Grossmann. However, the
celebration proved to be premature as Schmitz converted a breakaway goal
with 1:22 remaining to force overtime.
UW-Stevens Point launched 53 shots on goal as
Lindner finished with 50 saves. Amy Statz made 25 saves on 27 shots by the
Falcons. The Pointers held a 6-2 advantage in shots in the overtime. |
