WIN2DAY AWHL FINAL4: LAKERS AND HIGH­LANDERS REACH THE FINAL

Highlanders edge Lady Hawks in close contest

The KSV Highlanders prevailed 2:1 over league newcomers VSV Lady Hawks in a fiercely contested semi-final. After a goalless but entertaining opening period, in which the Highlanders held the edge in play, the goals came in the second period. First, Sara Confidenti gave the Highlanders the lead in the 30th minute with an impressive individual effort. Just over a minute later, Michelle van Ooijen made it 2:0 on the power play. However, the VSV Lady Hawks fought their way back into the game towards the end of the second period. League top scorer Liga Miljone pulled one back with a precise shot. The Villach side subsequently even had the chance to equalise, but could not beat goaltender Anna Horakova.

In the final period, the Highlanders played smartly. Although they were unable to add to their tally, they saw out their narrow lead and are therefore through to the final of the win2day Austrian Women’s Hockey League. Andrea Kantorova (KSV) and Liga Miljone (VLH) were named Players of the Game.

Lena-Kristin Dauböck (KSV): “We started well, then lost the momentum a little. Overall, we were very compact and I am pleased with the team.”

Ilvy Fuchs (VLH): “We really had enough chances, we just did not want it enough in the end.”

Lakers Kärnten topple reigning champions

In the second semi-final, Lakers Kärnten dethroned Sabres St. Pölten, the inaugural champions of the win2day AWHL.

The newly crowned European Women’s Hockey League champions from Lower Austria appeared to control proceedings on the ice from the outset. However, Lakers goaltender Davina Falmbigl could not be beaten in the opening 20 minutes. Falmbigl particularly excelled with a spectacular save in the closing seconds.

The Sabres also had considerably more of the play in the second period, but continued to be thwarted by the Lakers goaltender. The underdogs from Carinthia were ultimately the first to celebrate a goal: on the power play, Marjorie Bolduc deflected a shot from Baylee Kirwan, with the puck finding its way into the net off the inside of the post for a surprise 1:0 lead for the Lakers.

The title holders pressed for an equaliser in the final period. Davina Falmbigl remained at the centre of the action, just managing to clear a rebound attempt from Jokai-Szilagyi Kinga off the line in the 49th minute. When the Sabres threw everything forward, Marjorie Bolduc scored into the empty net to seal a 2:0 win. Lakers Kärnten are therefore confirmed as the second finalists in the win2day AWHL Final-4. Sabres St. Pölten will face VSV Lady Hawks in the third-place game.

Goaltender Davina Falmbigl (LAK), who recorded her first shutout of the season in the semi-final, and Antonia Matzka (SAB) were named Players of the Game.

Davina Falmbigl (LAK): "I always believed in us."

Antonia Matzka (SAB): "Ultimately, goals are what count, and unfortunately we were unable to score any today."

win2day Austrian Women’s Hockey League

Semi-final Game 1
KSV Highlanders – VSV Lady Hawks 2:1 (0:0, 2:1, 0:0)
KSV goals: Confidenti (30th), van Ooijen (31th/pp1)
Goals VLH: Miljone (38.)

Semi-final Game 2
Sabres St. Pölten – Lakers Kärnten 0:2 (0:0, 0:1, 0:1)
Goals LAK: Bolduc (37/PP1; 60/EN)

Final day, 04.04.2026:
Third-place game:
14:00 Sabres St. Pölten – VSV Lady Hawks

Final:
17:00 KSV Highlanders – Lakers Kärnten