Women’s Ice Hockey: Hamline University Pipers vs. Aurora University Spartans (Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com)

Saint Mary’s University at No. 12 Hamline University
Friday, November 14 at 6 PM CST (@SMU) | Saturday, November 15 at 3 PM CST (@HU)
Hamline leads all-time series 17–9–2

This weekend features another strong MIAC matchup in women’s D-III hockey as the No. 12 Hamline University Pipers’ face the unranked Saint Mary’s University Cardinals in a home-and-home series. Hamline has historically controlled the series with a 17–9–2 record and enters the weekend at 3–0–0 after climbing up the national poll week-after-week. Saint Mary’s sits at 1–1–0 after splitting its opening weekend vs Concordia (Wis.).

Hamline enters the matchup with new leadership behind the bench. Head Coach Jake Bobrowski, previously an assistant during the program’s NCAA Tournament runs in 2018 and 2019, is now in charge and already has the Pipers rolling. Through three games, Hamline has outscored opponents 18–1 and posted two shutouts. Forward and defender Brooke Klemz leads the way with six points in three games, placing her inside the top ten nationally in assists. A deep Pipers roster has also helped drive their early success, with 15 different skaters recording at least one point.

Defensively, the Pipers have been close to perfect. They have allowed only one goal through three contests, and that lone goal came with four seconds remaining in a game they were already leading 9–0. A major reason for that defensive strength has been their ability to limit shots. Hamline is giving up only 12.6 shots per game, which has allowed both goaltenders to play comfortably behind a structured defensive unit.

Saint Mary’s comes into the weekend looking to generate more consistent offense after scoring only two goals through its first two games. The Cardinals opened their season with a split against Concordia, losing 3–1 before bouncing back for a 1–0 win. They have not played since November 1, so getting up to game speed quickly will be important.

Second-year Head Coach Heath Isaacson is aiming to build on last season’s 16–11–0 record, which ended in a four-overtime loss to Augsburg in the MIAC semifinals. Saint Mary’s returns top scorer Sophia Paduano, who finished fifth in the MIAC last season with 27 points in 27 games. She has one point through two games and will be relied on heavily to spark the attack. The Cardinals have been strong defensively, allowing only two goals per game, and sophomore goaltender Magali Fillion already has a shutout after stopping all 13 shots she faced in her debut.

Defense should be the deciding factor this weekend. Neither team has allowed more than three goals in a single game this season. For Saint Mary’s, the key will be generating pressure against a Hamline team that has not allowed more than 20 shots in any game. For Hamline, the formula remains similar to their first three outings, where they averaged 57 shots per game and created offense through sustained pressure. If they continue that shot volume, they should find the net multiple times.

History favors the nationally ranked Pipers, but this has the potential to be a tight, low-scoring match\up as Saint Mary’s showed last season they can compete with anyone. Hamline hosts on Friday at 6 PM at TRIA Rink in Saint Paul, MN and Saint Mary’s hosts the Saturday game at 3 PM at the SMU Ice Arena in Winona, MN.