Fruitvale's Ella Matteucci, Clarkson capture NCAA Women's Hockey championship
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Ellla Matteucci has put Fruitvale on the NCAA women’s hockey map.
The former Kootenay Wildcat rearguard helped Clarkson end Minnesota’s two-year run as NCAA women’s hockey champions as the Golden Knights posted the 5-4 upset in the final of the Frozen Four Sunday in Connecticut.
Shannon MacAulay, from Mount Herbert, P.E.I., scored on a breakaway with 4:16 left in the third to help give Clarkson a surprise win.
Clarkson (31-5-5) earned its first national title in any sport and became the first non-Western Collegiate Hockey Association team to win a women’s hockey national championship.
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Minnesota Duluth combined to win the first 13 national titles.
Minnesota (38-2-1) fell behind 3-1, rallied to tie the game at 3-3, but again fell behind by two goals at 5-3 late in the third period before narrowing the gap to one.
The Golden Knights defeated Mercyhurst 5-1 in Friday’s semifinal game.
Matteucci, the daughter of Melissa and Paul Matteucci of Fruitvale, completed her junior year with the Golden Knights working on a history degree.
The 5’7″ rearguard is a versatile skater who has played forward and defence for the Golden Knights and has four assists in three seasons with Clarkson.
Before landing a scholarship with Clarkson Matteucci, an outstanding baseball player, played for Notre Dame Hounds.
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