MINNEAPOLIS -- Behind a natural hat trick by Emily Schoeberl, the No. 3/2-ranked Augsburg University women's hockey team dominated St. Catherine University in a decisive 6-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory on Saturday. Augsburg University capitalized on the power play with two goals in the first period and maintained control throughout, outshooting their opponent 33-23. Auggie goaltender Marissa Paaske claimed her fifth shutout of the season and school-record 11th of her career, stopping all 23 shots she faced to secure the shutout.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 6, St. Catherine 0
LOCATION: Ed Saugestad Rink, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 17-3-1 overall (11-2-1 MIAC), St. Catherine 9-12-0 overall (4-10-0 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
The first period commenced with Augsburg asserting control through a series of offensive plays. Despite early shots missing the mark, the home team capitalized on a power play opportunity when Kate Haug scored at the 7:51 mark, assisted by Ella Olson and Emma Abrahamson. Continuing their momentum, Augsburg extended their lead with a second power-play goal by Nora Stepan at the 16:11 mark, assisted by Abrahamson and goalie Paaske -- her first collegiate assist. This marked Stepan's third multi-goal game of the season and sixth of her collegiate career. St. Catherine managed several faceoff wins but could not break through the Augsburg defense. The period concluded with Augsburg leading 2-0.

Augsburg capitalized on the second period with two goals to extend their lead over St. Catherine. At the 14:38 mark, Stepan found the net with an assist from Payton Behr and Aunna Schulte, marking her 14th goal of the season. The home team struck again at the 18:30 mark when Schoeberl scored, assisted by Haug and Abby Simons, raising the score to 4-0. This was the start of Schoeberl's impressive performance, which would see her claim her first collegiate hat trick. The period ended with Augsburg holding a commanding lead, 4-0.

Schoeberl of Augsburg secured a natural hat trick in the third period, scoring twice within a three-minute span to solidify the team's lead. Her first goal at the 15:19 mark was assisted by Haug, while Schulte assisted on the second goal at the 17:35 mark, bringing the score to 6-0. The Auggies maintained pressure throughout, capitalizing on their offensive opportunities despite facing several blocked shots and saves by St. Catherine's goalkeeper.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Kate Haug: 1 goal, 2 assists, +4 rating
• Emily Schoeberl: 3 goals, 6 shots on goal, +4 rating
• Nora Stepan: 2 goals, +4 rating
• Marissa Paaske: 1 assist, 23 saves

ST. CATHERINE PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Isabella Brady: 100% faceoff percentage, 6 blocked shots
• Ana Myers: 62% faceoff percentage, 18 faceoff wins
• Lea Grassia: 27 saves

UP NEXT
• Augsburg will face the College of Saint Benedict on Friday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. at Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud, Minn.