ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Augsburg University, 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, edged past St. Catherine University 5-4, in a tense Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's hockey overtime victory on Friday. This victory extends Augsburg's winning streak to five games. The visitors capitalized on a total of 38 shots. Despite trailing after the first period, the Auggies scored twice in both the second and third periods to ultimately secure the win. The Wildcats managed four goals on 22 shots, but could not withstand the late surge from Augsburg.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 5, St. Catherine 4 (OT)
LOCATION: Drake Ice Arena, St. Paul, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 15-3-1 overall (9-2-1 MIAC), St. Catherine 9-11-0 overall (4-9-0 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
St. Catherine's Ana Myers scored the sole goal of the first period at the 2:02 mark, assisted by Lauren Schmidt and Samantha Bogen, giving the home team a 1-0 lead. Despite multiple attempts from Augsburg, including shots by Aunna Schulte, Lilli Wold, and Jenna Allen, St. Catherine's goalie Lea Grassia made key saves to maintain the 1-0 advantage. Both teams exchanged opportunities, but the period ended with St. Catherine holding a one-goal edge.

Augsburg opened the scoring in the second period with a goal by Ella Olson at the 4:28 mark, assisted by Emma Abrahamson and Payton Behr, tying the game at 1-1. St. Catherine quickly responded at 4:59, when Ana Myers scored, assisted by Isabella Brady, making it her 16th goal. St. Catherine extended their lead at 11:37 through Paige Loidolt, assisted by Brady. However, Olson brought Augsburg back within one at the 17:12 mark with an unassisted goal, giving her 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points this season. Olson now has five goals and three assists for eight points in her last four games.

Augsburg gained momentum in the third period with a power-play goal from Kate Haug, assisted by Nora Stepan, at the 11:21 mark, tying the game at 3-3. Stepan, who now leads the team with 12 goals, 12 assists and 24 points this season, further extended Augsburg's advantage with an even-strength goal, assisted by Ella Olson, at 15:59. However, the Wildcats responded with an extra-attacker goal from Samantha Bogen with 1:15 left in regulation, tying the game at 4-4.

In the 3-on-3 overtime period, Augsburg secured the victory 1:47 into the frame, with Jenna Allen scoring from Ruby Eskin.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Ella Olson: 2 goals, 1 assist, +3 rating, 100% faceoff win percentage
• Jenna Allen: 1 goal, 3 shots on goal
• Kate Haug: 1 power-play goal, 5 shots on goal
• Nora Stepan: 1 goal, 1 assist, +2 rating
• Kayla Simonson: 18 saves

ST. CATHERINE PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Ana Myers: 2 goals, 8 shots
• Samantha Bogen: 1 goal, 1 assist, +3 rating
• Isabella Brady: 2 assists, +3 rating, 3 blocked shots
• Lea Grassia: 33 saves

UP NEXT
• Up next for the Auggies, they will host the Wildcats at Ed Saugestad Rink in Minneapolis on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m.