The Hamline women's hockey team held the edge in shots on goal but was unable to work one past St. Thomas goalie Mackenzie Torpy in a 2-0 loss in the MIAC Women's Hockey Championship game Saturday at St. Thomas Arena.

The Pipers unloaded 30 shots at Torpy, 17 in the second period. Molly Garin led the way for the game with seven and Jordan Hansen (9) had five. But the Tommies scored three seconds after a HU penalty expired in the first period and on a breakaway in the second to earn the verdict.

Urged on a big HU contingent in the rink,. the Pipers dominated play early, holding the Tommies without a shot for nearly the first seven minutes of play. Madison Kolbow was whistled for the game's first penalty at 11:30. Kolbow got back on the ice but couldn't get in the play in time before a UST pass was deflected past HU goalie Jaela O'Brien. 

HU really pressured the Tommies in the second frame, outshooting them 17-6. The home team, however, scored the only goal of the session and held off Piper surges in the third for the win and an automatic berth in the NCAA D-III tournament.

Hamline, now 21-3-3, has high hopes of snaring an at large berth when the field is announced Monday morning. The Pipers are ranked fourth in both national polls and are tied with Elmira College for third place in the NCAA Pairwise Rankings.