MINNEAPOLIS -- Scoring twice and outshooting the visitors by a 16-2 margin in the second half, the Augsburg University women's soccer team claimed a 2-1 victory over Hamline University in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference-opening game for both teams on Wednesday evening at Edor Nelson Field.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 2, Hamline 1
LOCATION: Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 4-2-0 overall (1-0-0 MIAC), Hamline 1-2-2 overall (0-1-0 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The two teams played a tight, tactical game in the first half, with both teams recording six shots. Augsburg held a slim 51-to-49-percent edge in possession time. 
• But the Auggies exploded in the second half, playing a much more aggressive style of play. The Auggies outshot the Pipers by a 16-2 margin in the second half, en route to a 22-8 shots advantage.
• Augsburg's forward pressure forced a turnover in the first minute of the second half, eventually leading to the first goal of the game. A Kaitlyn Nemitz (JR, Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee HS) shot from 30 yards out was blocked in front, but the rebound went straight to Annika Rudolph (SO, Richfield, Minn./Richfield HS), who blasted the ball from the top of the 18-yard box at the 46:10 mark for her second goal of the season.
• Augsburg took a 2-0 lead on its second penalty-kick goal of the season. Megan Hensel (JR, Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury HS) was fouled in the 18-yard box following a free kick by Molly Conners (SR, Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS), and Jayla Ponce (SO, Kuna, Idaho/Kuna HS) converted with a shot to the low left corner of the net for her second goal of the year.
• Augsburg maintained its intensity the rest of the way, keeping Hamline from creating scoring opportunities. The defensive backfield of Conners, Sam Donahugh (SR, Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago HS) and Malia Neumann (SO, Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS) provided solid support, and the Auggie midfield was particularly aggressive, forcing numerous turnovers.
• Jennifer Bobaric (SR, Andover, Minn./Andover HS) had seven shots in the game, while Ponce had five shots, and Rudolph and Samantha Meyer (SO, Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake HS) had three shots each.
• Goalkeeper Iz Shuster (JR, Waconia, Minn./Waconia HS) had five saves to score the win.

FOR THE FOES
• Hamline scored its lone goal with 7:44 left in the second half. Tali Shradar gained the ball on a steal, and fed the ball forward to Denise Hamdan, who eluded a defender and chipped the ball to the net past a charging Shuster.
• Lauren Sicora had nine saves in goal for Hamline.

QUOTE FROM AUGSBURG HEAD COACH MIKE NAVARRE
• "Tonight was outstanding. The second half in particular was great, as we picked up the intensity and speed of play. It was inspiring to see their work ethic, support of each other, and commitment to the game increase. Nights like tonight are special on our field, under the lights, with the crowd supporting us; it's a great environment for the players and we don't take it for granted."
• "As well as we played, we will have to improve our soccer further as the league keeps getting better. I'm sure Saturday at Macalester will be a difficult test for us, one we look forward to."

UP NEXT
• Augsburg travels to face Macalester in MIAC play on Saturday (9/17) at 1 p.m.