MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - A sluggish first period proved costly for the Saint Mary's women's hockey team (15-9) in their road game against the fifth-ranked Augsburg Auggies (20-3-1), resulting in a 3-1 loss on Friday night.

Sophia Paduano led the Cardinals scoring the team's only goal on a power-play. 

The game opened up when Augsburg capitalized on a power play opportunity at 15:52 followed by two additional goals at 14:24 and another at 09:32. The three goals slowed any momentum the Cardinals could get despite multiple shots and a power play opportunity late in the period, ending the period trailing 3-0.

In the second period, the Cardinals maintained pressure with consistent faceoff wins and possession. At the 10:07 mark, Paduano capitalized on a power play, scoring with an assist from Allie Urlaub, marking her tenth goal of the season and narrowing Augsburg's lead to 3-1 heading into the final period.

The Cardinals saw multiple shot attempts early in the third, with Reese Heitzman starting a series at 19:30, followed by Jenna Kurkowski at 19:11 and Leah Parker at 18:38, though none found the net. 

Celeste Rimstad made several key saves, notably stopping back-to-back shots from at 17:35 and 17:15. The Cardinals were unable to score with an extra skater after pulling Rimstad, resulting in a 3-1 game in favor of the Auggies.

Without the slow start, the game could have been a different story.

The story does not end tomorrow as after tonight's decision and elsewhere in the conference, the Cardinals will host the first round of MIAC Playoffs on Wednesday!

The Cardinals will turn around to celebrate senior day tomorrow after their 2:00 p.m. game against the Auggies.