MINNEAPOLIS -- Elizabeth "Biz" Bauer, who served as an assistant coach for the Augsburg University women's hockey team in the 2023-24 season, has been named the third head coach in program history as it enters its 30th season of competition, the university announced on Monday.

Bauer replaces Michelle McAteer, who resigned in August to become the commissioner of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. McAteer compiled a 166-142-36 (.535) record in 14 seasons (2010-24) after taking over for Jill Pohtilla, who had a 171-177-30 record in the first 15 seasons (1995-2010) of the program.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to take over as head coach for the women's hockey program at Augsburg," Bauer said. "I have had a wonderful mentor in Coach McAteer, who has helped build this program into what it is today, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her and what she has done here. I want to thank (Athletic Director) Jeff Swenson for this opportunity and all of the athletic department, which has been so supportive during this transition."

Bauer served as the Auggies' full-time assistant coach last season, as the Auggies finished 19-7-0 overall and 15-3-0 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, qualifying for the conference playoffs for the eighth full season in a row. Augsburg's 19 victories were tied for the third-most wins in a single season in school history (against all varsity opponents). The Auggies outscored their opponents by a 78-43 margin in the 2023-24 campaign.

As part of her duties, Bauer helped run all hockey operations and was a major part of the Auggies' recruiting efforts, which resulted in a 13-player incoming class for this season, one of the largest women's hockey recruiting classes in team history.

Prior to coming to Augsburg, Bauer spent two seasons as girls' hockey director for MAP Hockey, an elite off-season training center for hockey players in the Twin Cities. She also spent a year as a sports performance trainer and facility director at St. Croix Acceleration, a training center in Hudson, Wis. From 2020-2023, she was an assistant coach for the U-16 girls' team for Team Wisconsin Hockey.

Bauer played her collegiate hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where she helped lead the Blugolds to their first three national tournament berths, two O'Brien Cup Tournament Championships, and one Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, while posting an overall record of 80-26-9. Scoring 37 career goals and adding 66 assists for 103 total points, Bauer holds the Blugolds' record for assists and ranks second in school history in points. In 2019-20, Bauer was named a team captain and earned a spot on the American Hockey Coaches Association/CCM Hockey Division III All-America Second Team. She earned All-WIAC first-team honors three times and honorable mention honors once, and was an AHCA Division III All-American Scholar in 2019-20. Following her career at UW-Eau Claire, Bauer pursued her dream of playing pro hockey and played in the PWHPA with the Minnesota region "Team Adidas." 

Prior to college, Bauer played high school hockey for the Central Wisconsin Storm, where her team compiled a 62-17-3 record and earned three trips to the state tournament. In just three seasons and 80 games played, she scored 125 points, including 82 assists (a Storm career record), and is the sixth-leading point scorer in team history.  As a junior and senior, she was named a team captain, also earning All-State second-team honors as a senior. 

Bauer has four siblings, including a twin sister Emily who played with her at UW-Eau Claire. Her brother played hockey at Minnesota-Crookston, and her father has been a high school hockey coach in Wisconsin for more than 30 years. A native of Wausau, Wis., Bauer earned her bachelor's degree with a major in kinesiology and a minor in coaching from UW-Eau Claire in 2020. 

"I have always known I wanted to be a head coach and am so grateful for this opportunity," Bauer said. "I grew up watching my brother play and watching my dad coach hockey. He is a big reason why I am here, and why I have gone down the coaching path I have. I am so grateful for him and all the support my family has offered. I am looking forward to growing and advancing this program, connecting with the alumnae that have given so much to this program, and building my relationships here at Augsburg."