MINNEAPOLIS -- Augsburg University secured a 3-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's hockey victory over St. Olaf College on Friday evening at Ed Saugestad Rink. Ranked No. 4 in the latest USCHO.com Division III national poll and No. 2 in the D-III Hockey News Division III national poll, the Auggies' offense was highlighted by a power-play goal in the final period, while their defense limited St. Olaf to just 19 shots on goal. Augsburg's goaltender Kayla Simonson, who improved to 7-2-0 on the season, made 18 saves, maintaining the lead throughout the game.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 3, St. Olaf 1
LOCATION: Ed Saugestad Rink, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 14-3-1 overall (8-2-1 MIAC), St. Olaf 9-9-0 overall (6-5-0 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
The game commenced with Augsburg and St. Olaf taking the ice, with the latter initially winning the opening faceoff. Augsburg responded by winning several faceoffs, including a notable one by Adelyn Milota at 18:59, setting up a series of offensive opportunities. Despite these efforts, their shots, including those by Mei Diesing and Ella Olson, who claimed her fourth multi-point game of the season, were either wide or saved by St. Olaf's goalie, Baylyn Shankman. Augsburg faced a brief challenge when Milota was penalized for body checking at 12:03, giving St. Olaf a power play. However, the Augsburg defense, led by blocked shots from players such as Ruby Eskin, successfully killed the penalty without conceding. The period ended scoreless, with both teams unable to capitalize on their opportunities.

St. Olaf opened the scoring at 3:39 of the second period when Julia Larson netted an even-strength goal, assisted by Jocelyn Orr and Avery Shaw. Augsburg's pivotal moment in the second period came at 18:34 when Olson, who has seven goals and eight assists for 15 points this season, scored an even-strength goal, assisted by Emma Abrahamson and Kate Haug, equalizing the score. Despite facing multiple challenges, including a power play advantage for Augsburg that did not yield a goal, the team continued to press offensively with numerous shots on target. The period concluded with the score tied at 1-1.

Augsburg secured their position early in the third period with a pivotal goal by Tenley Stewart at 16:39, assisted by Kelsi Ries and Livia Brehm, breaking the tie. Augsburg extended their advantage during a power play, as Nora Stepan, who leads the Auggies with 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points, scored at 5:11, assisted by Olson and Haug, bringing the score to 3-1. With a goal or assist in 13 of her 18 games this season, Stepan's contribution was crucial. Despite St. Olaf's attempts to recover, Augsburg maintained its lead.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Ella Olson, 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 shots on goal
• Tenley Stewart: 1 goal, 2 shots on goal
• Nora Stepan: 1 power-play goal, 4 shots on goal
• Kayla Simonson: 18 saves
• Adelyn Milota: 77% faceoff win percentage, 7 faceoff wins

ST. OLAF PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Julia Larson: 1 goal, 1 blocked shot
• Andi Huselid: 60% faceoff win percentage, 1 blocked shot, 9 faceoff wins
• Baylyn Shankman: 24 saves

UP NEXT
• In its next game, Augsburg will visit St. Olaf Ice Arena in Northfield, Minn., to face St. Olaf on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 4 p.m.