Crushing final three minutes sinks UHSP against Culver-Stockton

CANTON, MO - Coming off a record offensive performance on Saturday against a fledgling program, UHSP found themselves in a dogfight on Sunday afternoon at Culver-Stockton. The Eutectics racked up 20 goals against Mount Mercy to open the weekend, but were not as fortunate in their weekend finale as they suffered a 9-7 loss to the Wildcats.

It was a see-saw affair between Culver-Stockton and UHSP as the match saw four ties, two lead changes and a three-goal third period by the home team that proved to be the difference. CSC's Karson Jackson got the soring underway on an unassisted goal not even four minutes in. Kaelin Quarles made it 2-0 Cats scoring on a free position shot with 8:34 to go in the first. :28 seconds later, Qiu Ottolino got the Eutectics on the board and cut the margin to one with an unassisted goal. Jackson and Quarles would each net goals sandwiched around a USHP goal from Michelle Le and it was a 4-2 Culver-Stockton lead after one.

The two teams combined for six more goals in an action packed second period and UHSP scored four of them. Caeley Doran netted a second period hat trick, Le buried on at 7:03 to tie the game at 4-4 and Ottolino had two assists in the period, but it was all even at 6-6 at the half. Things slowed dramatically in the second half as Haley Smith scored the lone goal for either club in the third as UHSP grabbed a 7-6 lead just :34 seconds into the third. The two clubs got locked into a scoreless battle over the next 26:43 and the Eutectics were clinging to a one-goal lead with under three minutes to go, looking a possible 3-0 start to the season. But the Wildcats were able to put three past UHSP netminder Brianna Dixon in 1:46 to stun the Eutectics and steal a 9-7 win. Lauren Grebing scored with 2:41 left and Kaelin Quarles scored twice in a :59 span to break a 7-7 tie and then to net the game sealer.

Jillian Vervynck picked up the win in net for Culver-Stockton facing 15 shots while making eight saves. Dixon took the loss in goal for UHSP making five saves on 14 shots. The Eutectics were beyond dominant in draw control in Saturday's rout over Mount Mercy and were still good against the Wildcats holding a 13-7 advantage. CSC converted on one of their two free position shots while the Purple and Gold were unable to score on any of their four chances.

The Eutectics (2-1) return to action next weekend in another doubleheader as they visit Iowa and Nebraska to play Clarke on Saturday at 12:00pm and Midland and 1:00pm on Sunday.