The game was close throughout, as indicated by the final shots, 23 by USM and 22 by Arrowhead.  The scoreless first period furthered the tension of a close game. Both teams had two power plays in the period, but none came to fruition.

 

USM finally broke the deadlock and scored its two goals in less than 2 minutes during the second period.  The Wildcats scored the game’s first goal at 6:57.  They controlled the puck in the Arrowhead end.  It went to junior Megan Bailey who fired a shot at Arrowhead’s senior goalie, Jenna Kuhl.  Sophomore Liz Curley kept the play alive for the Wildcats by controlling the rebound.  She put a low shot on net from the right side. The next rebound bounced out to junior Sally James who jammed the puck into the lower left corner of the net for what would prove to be the game-winning goal.

 

The Wildcats soon scored again.  Once again they got the puck deep into the Warhawks’ end and cycled it.  Below the Arrowhead goal line, junior Margot Peterson sent the puck to junior Ellie Wigdale behind the net.  Wigdale stepped out and lined a pass to her cousin, freshman Abby Wigdale, who was standing alone like she was at a bus stop in front of the net.  Abby Wigdale one-timed her shot past Kuhl at 8:11.

 

 “After that we stuck to our game plan to perfection,” said USM’s head coach Jason Woods.  The Wildcats kept the puck in the Arrowhead end as much as they could and took away the Warhawks’ offensive punch with firm defense.  USM’s sophomore goalkeeper Emily Wigdale helped the cause with solid saves, a couple of which were beyond par.  “Emily was big for us when we needed her,” Woods said proudly.

 

In the game Wigdale made 22 saves to record the shutout.  Kuhl stopped 21 of USM’s 23 shots for the Warhawks.

 

The loss ended the Warhawks’ season.  Arrowhead finished the year with an 18-6 record.   USM is now 16-10.  The Wildcats advance to play Sun Prairie in the Sectional final at Beaver Dam.  The game will be played at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 26th.