The Aurora University women's hockey team defeated the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 3-1 behind two goals from Nicole McKernan and a near shutout performance from Chiara Pfosi.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 3, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 1
LOCATION: Geneva, Illinois - Fox Valley Ice Arena
RECORDS: Aurora University 4-8-3 overall; University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 8-7-2 overall
BOX SCORE: View here
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a fairly evenly played open period of play, AU took advantage of a defensive zone turnover by the Pointers late in the period.
- With 46.6 seconds left in the first, Spartan Nicole McKernan corralled a loose puck in the offensive zone and blistered a shot off the upper post past the Pointer goalie and in to give AU a 1-0 lead.
- The Spartan took that lead into the intermission.
- The second period saw the penalty box activity pick up.
- With the teams both having four skaters on the ice midway through the second, McKernan struck again. Her shot was redirected by a Pointer defender into the back of the UWSP net and AU led 2-0.
- AU goalie Chiara Pfosi and the defensive crew in front of her made the two goal lead hold up as the teams headed to the second intermission,
- The shutout for AU and Pfosi was intact until Stevens Point scored with an extra attacked with 1:12 left in the game to cut the Spartan lead to 2-1.
- 25 seconds later the Spartans put the game out of reach with an empty net tally from Lauren Martel.
- Pfosi made 43 saves in the victory, 3-1 over UW-Stevens Point.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Goals: Nicole McKernan (2) and Lauren Martel (1)
Face offs: Nicole McKernan (11-of-19)
Saves: Chiara Pfosi (43)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan women's hockey team comes on Friday, January 18, when they travel to Concordia University Wisconsin. Game time is set 7:00 p.m. in Mequon, Wisconsin.