MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg University women's hockey team, ranked No. 2 in both Division III national polls by USCHO.com and D-III Hockey News, claimed a 3-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory at Saint Mary's University on Friday, extending its winning streak to nine straight games. Now 20-3-1 on the season, Augsburg has reached the 20-win plateau for the second straight year and fourth time in its 31-season history.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 3, Saint Mary's 1
LOCATION: Saint Mary's Ice Arena, Winona, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 20-3-1 overall (14-2-1 MIAC), Saint Mary's 9-13-2 overall (5-10-2 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
Augsburg clinched the victory with goals in each period, including an empty-net goal to seal the game. Augsburg's defense limited its opponents to just 17 shots on goal, with goalie Marissa Paaske making 16 saves. Paaske now boasts a 10-1-0 record on the season, with a 1.09 goals against-average and a .952 save percentage, leading the MIAC in both categories. Saint Mary's recorded its lone goal on a power play in the third period.
 
Augsburg's Emma Abrahamson opened the scoring for Augsburg at the 11:11 mark of the first period with an unassisted goal, her sixth of the season, putting the visitors up 1-0. Abrahamson has recorded a goal or assist in seven of her last nine games. Despite several attempts by both teams, including a power play opportunity for Augsburg, the period ended with Augsburg leading 1-0.

Augsburg solidified its lead in the second period with a key goal at the 16:47 mark. Adelyn Milota scored an even-strength goal, assisted by Jenna Allen, marking Milota's third goal of the season. Despite multiple attempts throughout the period, Augsburg was unable to convert during a power play, and the period ended with Augsburg ahead 2–0.

Augsburg maintained momentum in the third period, despite numerous missed opportunities, with several shots on goal early in the frame. A penalty on Mei Diesing led to a power-play goal by Saint Mary's, narrowing the gap. However, Augsburg secured the win with an empty-net goal from Kate Haug at 19:10, sealing the game 3-1. Haug now has 11 goals on the season, and has had a goal or assist in four of her last five games.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Adelyn Milota: 1 goal, 76% faceoff win percentage
• Emma Abrahamson: 1 goal, 66% faceoff win percentage
• Marissa Paaske: 16 saves

SAINT MARY'S PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Maggie Albers: 1 power-play goal, 2 shots
• Sophia Paduano: 1 assist, 3 shots, 1 blocked shot
• Celeste Rimstad: 36 saves

UP NEXT
• Augsburg closes the regular season hosting Saint Mary's at Ed Saugestad Rink on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m.Augsburg can clinch its second straight outright MIAC regular-season championship with a regulation victory over the Cardinals, combined with a loss by Hamline in its Saturday contest at Gustavus. Augsburg has 41 conference points, while Hamline has 43 points.