Release from 20.03.2026

EWHL semifinal first legs: Narrow road win for Sabres | Draw between Highlanders and Aisulu

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The first-leg matchups in the European Women’s Hockey League semifinals produced two close results. The Sabres St. Pölten edged MAC Budapest 3–2 on the road, while the KSV Highlanders and defending champions Aisulu Almaty played to a 4–4 draw. The second legs will take place on Sunday, with the aggregate score from both games deciding the finalists.

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In Budapest, the Sabres got off to a perfect start, taking a 2–0 lead within the first eleven minutes thanks to a brace from Alexandra Gowie. However, MAC responded in kind, as Emily Baxter netted twice in the 19th and 30th minutes to level the game. In the end, the Sabres still secured the road win, with Tamina Schall scoring the decisive goal in the 40th minute to make it 3–2. This gives the Lower Austrians a slight edge heading into Sunday’s second leg in St. Pölten.

Draw between Highlanders and Aisulu
The second semifinal also promises plenty of excitement. The KSV Highlanders battled to a 4–4 draw against defending champions Aisulu Almaty in the first leg. The Styrians took an early 2–0 lead after twelve minutes, but the Kazakh side quickly fought back and turned the game around by the 19th minute. At the start of the second period, the Highlanders once again came out strong, scoring twice within 28 seconds to make it 4–3. At that point, 21:21 minutes had been played. However, the visitors responded once more—this time it took nearly 14 minutes, but they eventually equalized again. Both defenses held firm for the remainder of the game, leaving everything to play for in Sunday’s second leg. Selina Gentilini was the only player to score twice.

European Women’s Hockey League
Semi Finals:
20.03.2026
MAC Budapest – Sabres St. Pölten 2:3 (1:2, 1:1, 0:0)
KSV Highlanders – Aisulu Almaty 4:4 (2:3, 2:1, 0:0)