MINNEAPOLIS -- With a 2-1 victory over Saint Mary's University on Saturday, the Augsburg University women's hockey team claimed the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season championship for the second year in a row, marking its fourth title in the 31-season history of the women's hockey program. Augsburg was a part of the first two MIAC regular-season titles, in 1998-99 (shared with Gustavus and Saint Mary's) and 1999-2000 (shared with Saint Mary's), and won the outright title last year.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 2, Saint Mary's 1
LOCATION: Ed Saugestad Rink, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 21-3-1 overall (15-2-1 MIAC), Saint Mary's 9-14-2 overall (5-11-2 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
The first period began with Augsburg University applying consistent offensive pressure, dominating faceoffs and taking multiple shots on goal. Nora Stepan broke through for the Auggies with an unassisted goal at 10:41, marking her 16th of the season. This goal contributed to Stepan finishing the regular season as the MIAC's leader in overall goals (17), tied for the league lead in points (32), and tied for third in assists (15). Despite Augsburg's control of play, Saint Mary's leveled the score with an unassisted goal by Kenzie Meland at 2:04.

In the second period, Augsburg gained momentum with a pivotal goal by Stepan at 12:34, assisted by Molly Grundhoffer and Jenna Allen, breaking a tie and securing the lead. Scoring both goals on Saturday, Stepan now has 49 goals and 50 assists for 99 career points. Playing in a career-record-tying 107 games, Stepan is now tied for fifth in school history in both career goals and assists, and fifth in points. Augsburg maintained pressure throughout the period, reflected in numerous shots on goal, although many were saved by Saint Mary's goalie Celeste Rimstad. Despite a late penalty on Mei Diesing, Augsburg's defense held firm, concluding the period with a 2-1 advantage.

In the final period, Augsburg held their defensive ground effectively against Saint Mary's, maintaining their lead with multiple crucial saves by Kayla Simonson. With 19 saves on the night, Auggie goalie Kayla Simonson finished the regular season with a 10-2-0 record, a .911 save percentage, and a 2.11 goals-against average. Despite an aggressive offensive push from Augsburg, including several shots by Kelsi Ries and Stepan, the period remained scoreless. Augsburg's defense effectively neutralized Saint Mary's attempts to equalize, culminating in a tense final minute where Simonson saved a last-second shot. The game ended with Augsburg preserving their advantage, securing a 2-1 victory.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Nora Stepan: 2 goals, 7 shots
• Kayla Simonson: 19 saves
• Livia Brehm: 87% faceoff win percentage, 7 faceoff wins
• Ruby Eskin: 70% faceoff win percentage, 7 faceoff wins

SAINT MARY'S PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Kylee Paul: 4 blocked shots
• Kenzie Meland: 1 goal, 1 blocked shot
• Celeste Rimstad: 27 saves

UP NEXT
•  Augsburg will be the top-seed in the five-team MIAC postseason playoffs. Augsburg will host a playoff semifinal game on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. at Ed Saugestad Rink, playing the winner of Wednesday's quarterfinal game between No. 5-seed Bethel and No. 4-seed Gustavus.