BLAINE, Minn. - The UW-Eau Claire women's hockey team earned its first win of the 2009-10 season Friday night, defeating Bethel University (Minn.) 2-0 at Bethel Arena.

The win put the Blugolds at 1-1-0 on the year, while Bethel fell to 0-1-0.

In the first period, Eau Claire's Allison Malecek (Fr.-Maple Plain, Minn./Delano) scored her first goal of the year at the 9:58 mark. Christine Dickinson (Jr.-Layton, Utah/Shattuck-St. Mary's) and Toni Simones (So.-Rosemount, Minn./South St. Paul) were credited with assists on the play.

At 8:39 in the third, Beth Dittrich (Sr.-Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) scored her first goal of the season on a power-play with assists from Kelli Johnson (Jr.-Farmington, Minn.) and Jackie McKay (So.-Franklin Park, Ill./East Leyden). The Blugold defense held strong and the team would not relinquish the 2-0 lead.

Eau Claire's Danika Porter (Jr.-Rosemount, Minn./South St. Paul) defended the net for the whole 60 minutes, collecting 20 saves and allowing no goals on the night. Bethel's Nicole Jones played all but 51 seconds of the game, recording 13 saves and allowing both Blugold scores. Eau Claire finished the night with 15 total shots on goal, while Bethel was able to notch 20.

The Blugolds return to Eau Claire for their 2009 home opener against St. Thomas (Minn.) Saturday, Nov. 7, at Hobbs Ice Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.