Courtesy of Hamline University

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- It was a night to remember for the Hamline lacrosse team at Klas Field. The Pipers' 13th straight win, an 8-7 decision over Augsburg at Klas Field Saturday in the MWLC Championship Game, guaranteed them a return trip to the NCAA Division III tournament that will start next weekend.

As it turned out, it was an even tougher, tenser win than the tight score would indicate.

First, HU had to wait 100 minutes to start the game due to lightning in the area. Then, with the game tied at 5 in the middle of the second half, a power outage left the field dark, causing a second delay. And then there was the Auggies, who made HU fight for every goal all night. In the end, though, the Piper defense, often overlooked in games where there were goalscoring sprees, clamped down hard on Augsburg and held them at bay after HU took the lead late in the game.

The game started slowly. Both put up defensive walls early. Lexus Tatge's goal six minutes into the game was the first tally of the night. It got the Pipers' offense moving and goals by Radian Lenz (who had set up Tatge's goal), Sydney Dynneson and Dana Almquist pushed the margin to 4-0 and Hamline looked on its way.

But the Auggies rallied back for three goals before halftime to cut the lead to one at 4-3. Lenz's second of the night 11:14 into the second half (on a feed from Tatge) seemed to give Hamline a cushion at 5-3. Augsburg, however, struck for two goals 83 seconds apart to tie the game at 5. Just after the fifth Augsburg goal, the lights went out, causing a 20-minute delay.

When play resumed, Brayden Maass found Tatge for her second goal of the game. Dana Almquist followed suit 23 seconds later and HU had another two-goal lead at 7-5. Augsburg responded quickly with goals 40 seconds apart to tie the game for a second -- and last -- time. Maass' unassisted goal with 2:19 left moved Hamline in front for good. The Auggies made a late rush but the Pipers knocked the ball loose, gained possession, and ran out the clock, igniting a midfield celebration (pictured).

Molly Dionne recorded 11 saves for HU to gain the win in goal.

The Pipers will take a 15-4 record into the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament next weekend. They will find out who they will be facing -- and where -- on Sunday, May 6 at 9:00 p.m. (CT) when the NCAA announces the field.