The Aurora University women's hockey team opened the 2020-2021 Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) Slaats Cup playoff with a 2-0 shutout over Trine University. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 2, Trine University 0
LOCATION: Geneva, Ill. - Fox Valley Ice Arena
RECORDS: Aurora University 6-4-1 overall; Trine University 2-11 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED
- A scoreless first period saw both the Spartans and Thunder go 0-of-1 on the power play.
- In the second, the teams combined for six penalties but the penalty kill units with goalies kept the power plays off the board.
- With just under seven minutes to go in the second period the Spartans scored to break the scoreless shutout.
- Sadie Parton saw her shot find the back off the net past the Thunder goalie. Mak Cooke and Marissa Dunbar picked up assists on the play.
- AU took the 1-0 lead into the second intermission.
- The Spartans pressured the Thunder in the third but the score remained 1-0.
- AU goalie Chiara Pfosi withstood everything Trine threw her way to keep AU in the lead.
- With 1:14 to play, Trine pulled the goalie for an extra skater.
- As time ticked down and 12 seconds to go, Marissa Dunbar blocked a shot, gathered the puck and fired about 125 feet from the Trine net. The puck found the empty net and AU led 2-0 with 7.2 seconds left in the game.
- The final seconds came off the clock and AU was victorious 2-0.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Points: Marissa Dunbar (2)
Goals: Sadie Parton and Marissa Dunbar (1)
Assists: Mak Cooke, and Marissa Dunbar (1)
Saves: Chiara Pfosi (24)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan women's hockey team comes on Saturday, March 13 when they travel to Adrian College. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. (cst) / 7:00 p.m. (est) in Adrian, Michigan.