Kevin Grundhoffer, staff writer

The Augsburg women’s hockey team has gotten off to a fast start this season. There was a bit of uncertainty surrounding the program with the abrupt resignation of their previous head coach Michelle McAteer, who resigned in order to take over the role of commissioner of the WCHA. While the loss of McAteer is huge, the interim head coach Elizabeth Bauer has done a great job so far leading the Auggies to an impressive 3-0-1 start. Bauer herself was a star for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Bluegolds during her collegiate days, so she is no stranger to success. Bauer gained familiarity with the team as she was an assistant coach for the Auggies last season, making the coaching change a smooth transition. The Auggies started off Bauer’s tenure with a high scoring 4-4 tie with the number one ranked team in the nation, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. 

First-year forward Ruby Eskin was named offensive player of the week in the MIAC for her stellar performance in the game. She had two goals, one of which was the game tying goal to send the game into overtime and the eventual draw. The Auggies then mowed down the University of Wisconsin-Superior 6-0. To start off MIAC play this past week, Augsburg decisively beat Concordia College-Moorhead, 6-0 and then won a closer affair of 3-2 to sweep the two game series. 

First-year goaltender Kayla Simonson has two shutouts already on the year and hasn’t been scored on yet. She was named defensive player of the week in the MIAC for her efforts in those two games. Junior goaltender Marissa Passke has been solid between the pipes boasting a .898 save percentage in her two games with two wins. These two have really been a lethal combination for the Auggies in net. First-year Emma Abrahamson, senior captain Emily Cronkhite and newcomer junior Molly Grundhoffer, who is a division one transfer from the University of St. Thomas, lead the team in goals scored with three apiece. These three have been essential in the Auggies’ hot start on the offensive side. 

So far, the team’s all around play on the offensive and defensive sides have been stellar as they get into the heart of their schedule. This year seems like a great opportunity for the Auggies to make another run at the MIAC championship. They have fallen short two years in a row to powerhouse Gustavus Adolphus College who won a national championship in that span. Even though they are a young team with 11 first-years they have plenty of experience, and experience is what you need to make a run. 

Catch the Auggies’ in their next home game on Friday, Dec. 6 against the aforementioned Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties at 7 p.m. in the Augsburg Ice Arena.