STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- The Augsburg University women's hockey team, ranked No. 3 in the latest USCHO.com Division III national poll and No. 2 in the latest D-III Hockey News Division III national poll, shut out the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a decisive 4–0 nonconference victory on Saturday. The Auggies dominated offensively, tallying 55 shots on goal and successfully converting a power-play opportunity in the third period. Augsburg's defense was impenetrable, with goalie Marissa Paaske making 17 saves to secure her school-record ninth career shutout, while the team capitalized on the Pointers' four penalties to maintain control throughout the match.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 4, Wisconsin-Stevens Point 0
LOCATION: K.B. Willett Arena, Stevens Point, Wis.
RECORDS: Augsburg 10-2-1 overall, UW-Stevens Point 8-8-0 overall

GAME RECAP
Paaske claimed her third shutout of the season and ninth of her career, setting a new school record for career shutouts. The old record of eight was held by Katie Fedoryk (2000-04), Erika Allen (2014-16), and Chloe Stockinger (2020-24).

The first period began with the Auggies taking control early, winning the initial faceoff and setting the tempo. The Pointers attempted shots from Avery Engbrecht and Grace Torma, both saved by Marissa Paaske. A hooking penalty on Abby Skelly gave Augsburg a power-play opportunity, but they were unable to capitalize despite several shots on goal. Despite strong defensive efforts from UW-Stevens Point, Augsburg capitalized on an even-strength opportunity at 11:31 when Nora Stepan scored, assisted by Adelyn Milota. This goal marked Stepan's seventh of the season and gave Augsburg a 1-0 lead. The period concluded with the Auggies maintaining their narrow advantage, ending the first 20 minutes ahead of UW-Stevens Point, 1-0.

Augsburg extended their lead in the second period with a strong offensive performance, highlighted by two goals from Ella Olson. At 11:48, Olson scored her fifth goal of the season, assisted by Emma Brandenburger and Kate Haug, putting Augsburg up 2-0. Later, at 6:34, Olson added her sixth goal of the season, with assists from Stepan and Ruby Eskin, pushing the lead to 3-0. Despite several attempts from the Pointers, the Auggies maintained their defensive composure, ending the period with a 3-0 advantage.

The Auggies dominated the third period, maintaining a robust offensive presence against UW-Stevens Point. The period featured a significant power-play goal by Stepan at 6:29, assisted by Olson, extending Augsburg's lead to 4–0. Augsburg's defense, led by Paaske in goal, successfully thwarted multiple shot attempts from the Pointers, maintaining a shutout. UW-Stevens Point had several opportunities, including a power play, but Augsburg held firm to close out the game without conceding a goal.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Ella Olson: 2 goals, 1 assist, 7 shots on goal
• Nora Stepan: 2 goals, 1 game-winning goal, 1 power-play goal
• Emily Schoeberl: 71% faceoff win percentage
• Marissa Paaske: 17 saves

UW-STEVENS POINT PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Grace Torma: 4 shots, 3 blocked shots
• Molly Pohlkamp: 3 shots, 10 faceoff wins
• Emily Griege: 51 saves

UP NEXT
• In their next game, the Auggies will face Bethel University in the opener of a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series at Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.