Three classes for girls basketball sections have been examined and one more to go with the eight Class A sections.
It's down to the final four in Section 1 where the top seeded Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms are two wins away from their first trip to state since 1999. First they take on the fourth seeded Hayfield Vikings. The lower bracket has the second seeded Fillmore Central Falcons, winners of four straight going up against the sixth seeded Grand Meadow Superlarks, The Superlarks were super in quarterfinal play with an upset win over the third seeded Houston Hurricanes.
The top seed in the Section 2 North subsection is the Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Saints, in the hunt for their first trip to Minneapolis in 15 years. The will have to get past the second seeded Central Minnesota Christian Bluejays and the third seeded Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart Mustangs. The South Subsection could be a two team race between the top seeded Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers and the second seeded Springfield Trojans.
Section 3 is also down to the final four with the top seeded and defending Class A champion Minneota Vikings facing the Lakeview Lakers in the North Subsection final and in the South Subsection final, the top seeded Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots face the second seeded Southwest Minnesota Christian Eagles.
The most interesting Class A section is Section 4 since there are six teams that have a shot at heading to The Barn. There's the top seeded Mayer Lutheran Crusaders who have not been to state since 2001 and played in a state title game since 1977. But before Crusader fans head down Highway 7, there could be gridlock in the second seeded Heritage Christian Eagles, the third seeded Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity Bulldogs, the fourth seeded Legacy Christian Lady Lions, followed by the red hot fifth seeded United Christian Academy Thunder who have won 14 straight games and the school with perhaps the most unique nickname in Minnesota, the Avail Academy Valor. Who will come out of this section? The mystery will be solved March 6.
Fans could be celebrating in Walker, Hackensack and Akeley since the Wolves are the top seed in the Section 5 West Subsection and are on a quest to head to their first state tournament. They will have to get past the second seeded Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars. The top seed in the East Subsection is the East Central Eagles followed by the second seeded Ogilvie Lions.
Here's an outstanding section in Section 6. In the North Subsection, it's a four team race that starts with the top seeded Henning Hornets, hoping to duplicate the success of their male counterparts who won the Class A title last season. Henning fans, don't make your hotel reservations for Minneapolis just yet since the Hornets have tough competition in the second seeded Underwood Rockets, the third seeded Park Christian Falcons and the fourth seeded Ada-Borup Cougars who have one of the state's best pep bands. The South Subsection has the top seeded West Central Area Knights, looking for their first trip to state. The second seeded Hancock Owls have won nine straight games and have to get past the third seeded Parkers Prairie Bulldogs. Next Friday's section final should be a dandy. Who will make the trip down I-94 to The Barn?
Another tough northern section is Section 7 where the top seeded Cromwell-Wright Cardinals have won 10 straight games. Watch out Cardinals, the second seeded Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers are in your path. Jeff Buffetta has led the Rangers to nine straight state tournaments and are in danger of the streak ending if they don't beat the Cardinals. Looking for the upsets are the third seeded Cherry Tigers, the fourth seeded Ely Timberwolves and the fifth seeded Chisholm Bluestreaks. Get up north to see some great girls basketball.
And finally Section 8 where the top seed in the East Subsection is the Fosston Greyhounds who are in the hunet for their first trip to state in 14 years. Another drought that could end is the second seeded Cass Lake-Bena Panthers whose last trip to Minneapolis was in 2005. But the top seeded Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies have not lost a game since they were beaten by Red Lake County Central January 9. A rematch could occur since Red Lake County Central is the second seed.
That's the section preview for the four classes. Research coming from minnesota-scores.net and the Minnesota State High School League website.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Monday, February 24, 2020
2020 Class AA Girls Basketball Section Preview
Some sections are already underway in Class AA so who is left standing are who are the top seeds in the eight sections.
Section 1 is down to the final four teams as the top seeded Rochester Lourdes Eagles are still alive and take on the fifth seeded Stewartville Trojans. There was an quarterfinal upset with the seventh seeded Dover-Eyota Eagles ending the second seeded Lake City Tigers season. They will face a team that moved on up from Section 1A to Section 1AA, the third seeded Goodhue Wildcats who are in the hunt for a piece of the state tournament pie.
The Battle of Highway 169 could take place in the Section 2 North Subsection with the top seeded Belle Plaine Tigers and the second seeded Jordan Jaguars. The top four seeds in the South Subsection are still alive as the top seeded Waseca Bluejays dropped down to Class AAA for Class AA. The second seeded Medford Tigers are on a six game winning streak and will battle the Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Knights.
Down in Section 3, the North Subsection top seed New London-Spicer Wildcats are having a fabulous season under veteran head coach Mike Dreier and they are three wins away from their 18th state tournament berth. But they will have to get past the second seeded Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles. The South Subsection go come down to a two team race between the top seeded Luverne Cardinals and the second seeded Windom Area Eagles.
The top seed in Section 4 is the defending Class AA champion Minnehaha Academy Redhawks. Matt Pryor's bunch has some tough competition in defensive of the Redhawks championship reign in the second seeded St. Paul Humboldt Hawks, who have never been to the state tournament and the third seeded Concordia Academy Beacons. Can the Redhawks maintain their dominance in Class AA though their male counterparts moved up to Class AAA?
In Section 5, the top seeded Providence Academy Lions look for their first trip to The Barn since 2013. It could be a four team race as the Watertown-Mayer Royals, led by future Gopher Maggie Czinano are the second seed, followed by the third third seeded Rockford Rockets and the fourth seeded Blake Bears.
The best section in Class AA and possibly Minnesota is Section 6 where six teams have a shot at the section title. First, there's the top seeded Albany Huskies who took home the championship hardware last season. Then you have the second seeded Sauk Centre Mainstreeters. Head coach Scott Bergman has eight seniors on his roster and they have been tournament tested having advanced to three consecutive state tournaments. There's also the third seeded Pine City Tigers who are in the hunt for their first trip down I-35 to Minneapolis, as well as the fourth seeded Royalton Royals and the fifth seeded Holdingford Huskers and the sixth seeded Melrose Dutchmen who have not been to state since 1979. Head up to St. Cloud State on March 6 for the section final. Who will be in it?
Up north to Section 7, where the top seed in Subsection 1 is the Esko Eskomos, who have been to 12 state tournaments and not taken home a championship trophy. But on their heels is the second seeded Pequot Lakes Patriots. It's a three team race in Subsection 2 with the top seeded and defending section champion Proctor Rails, followed by the second seeded Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers and the hot third seeded Mesabi East giants who have won eight straight games.
The last Class AA section could also be highly competitive. The North Subsection has the top seeded Hawley Nuggets, the second seeded Roseau Rams who have won five consecutive section titles and the third seeded Crookston Pirates. Over in the South Subsection, the top seeded Fergus Falls Otters lost to Holy Angels in last year's Class AAA state quarterfinals. This season, the Otters went down to Class AA and will have to contend with the second seeded and unbeaten Pelican Rapids Vikings.
The eight Class A sections are next.
Section 1 is down to the final four teams as the top seeded Rochester Lourdes Eagles are still alive and take on the fifth seeded Stewartville Trojans. There was an quarterfinal upset with the seventh seeded Dover-Eyota Eagles ending the second seeded Lake City Tigers season. They will face a team that moved on up from Section 1A to Section 1AA, the third seeded Goodhue Wildcats who are in the hunt for a piece of the state tournament pie.
The Battle of Highway 169 could take place in the Section 2 North Subsection with the top seeded Belle Plaine Tigers and the second seeded Jordan Jaguars. The top four seeds in the South Subsection are still alive as the top seeded Waseca Bluejays dropped down to Class AAA for Class AA. The second seeded Medford Tigers are on a six game winning streak and will battle the Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Knights.
Down in Section 3, the North Subsection top seed New London-Spicer Wildcats are having a fabulous season under veteran head coach Mike Dreier and they are three wins away from their 18th state tournament berth. But they will have to get past the second seeded Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles. The South Subsection go come down to a two team race between the top seeded Luverne Cardinals and the second seeded Windom Area Eagles.
The top seed in Section 4 is the defending Class AA champion Minnehaha Academy Redhawks. Matt Pryor's bunch has some tough competition in defensive of the Redhawks championship reign in the second seeded St. Paul Humboldt Hawks, who have never been to the state tournament and the third seeded Concordia Academy Beacons. Can the Redhawks maintain their dominance in Class AA though their male counterparts moved up to Class AAA?
In Section 5, the top seeded Providence Academy Lions look for their first trip to The Barn since 2013. It could be a four team race as the Watertown-Mayer Royals, led by future Gopher Maggie Czinano are the second seed, followed by the third third seeded Rockford Rockets and the fourth seeded Blake Bears.
The best section in Class AA and possibly Minnesota is Section 6 where six teams have a shot at the section title. First, there's the top seeded Albany Huskies who took home the championship hardware last season. Then you have the second seeded Sauk Centre Mainstreeters. Head coach Scott Bergman has eight seniors on his roster and they have been tournament tested having advanced to three consecutive state tournaments. There's also the third seeded Pine City Tigers who are in the hunt for their first trip down I-35 to Minneapolis, as well as the fourth seeded Royalton Royals and the fifth seeded Holdingford Huskers and the sixth seeded Melrose Dutchmen who have not been to state since 1979. Head up to St. Cloud State on March 6 for the section final. Who will be in it?
Up north to Section 7, where the top seed in Subsection 1 is the Esko Eskomos, who have been to 12 state tournaments and not taken home a championship trophy. But on their heels is the second seeded Pequot Lakes Patriots. It's a three team race in Subsection 2 with the top seeded and defending section champion Proctor Rails, followed by the second seeded Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers and the hot third seeded Mesabi East giants who have won eight straight games.
The last Class AA section could also be highly competitive. The North Subsection has the top seeded Hawley Nuggets, the second seeded Roseau Rams who have won five consecutive section titles and the third seeded Crookston Pirates. Over in the South Subsection, the top seeded Fergus Falls Otters lost to Holy Angels in last year's Class AAA state quarterfinals. This season, the Otters went down to Class AA and will have to contend with the second seeded and unbeaten Pelican Rapids Vikings.
The eight Class A sections are next.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
2020 Class AAA Girls Basketball Section Preview
Next we have the preview of the eight Class AAA sections.
In Section 1, the top seeded Red Wing Wingers are on a 10 game winning streak and need three more wins to reach the state tournament for the first time since 2013. They will have to get past the second seeded Austin Packers and the third seeded Kasson-Mantorville Komets.
The unbeaten Marshall Tigers are the top seed in Section 2 but four other teams have a shot at heading to The Barn. The second seeded Mankato West Scarlets are on a five game winning streak and lost to Marshall 67-54 on January 4. Two Wright County Conference schools are also in the hunt, the third seeded Waconia Wildcats and the fourth seeded Hutchinson Tigers. But wait. There's more. The fifth seeded St. Peter Saints enter section play on a three game winning streak. Can Marshall remain unbeaten or will any of the aforementioned contenders take home the section title hardware?
It could be a three team race for the Section 3 title. The top seeded Simley Spartans have won 21 consecutive games since starting the season 3-2 and looking for their first trip to state since 2014. But watch out for the second seeded St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders and the red hot third seeded St. Paul Como Park Cougars, winners of 13 straight games. It will be a horse race for the section title with no off track betting allowed.
To Section 4 as the defending Class AAA champion DeLaSalle Islanders have won 13 in a row and all of their by margins of 10 points or more. The second seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers, under the veteran leadership of Erin Herman have a shot at ending the Islanders championship reign and earn their first trip to state since 2013.
In Section 5, last year's Class AAA runner up the Becker Bulldogs are the top seed and enter sections with a 20 game winning streak. They could get into a third meeting with the second seeded Big Lake Hornets, a team they beat twice in the regular season.
There's been some outstanding girls basketball this season in Richfield as the Holy Angels Stars are the top seed and wrapped up the regular season on a seven game winning streak. The Stars public school rivals, the second seeded Richfield Spartans have hit a crowded roundabout as they have gone 3-10 after starting the season 13-0. Get ready for The Battle of Richfield in the section final.
Up north to Section 7 as Hermantown Hawks fans could be celebrating again if the boys hockey team heads back to the state tournament the preceding week. The hawks are the top seed and will battle the second seeded Princeton Tigers and the third seeded and defending section champion Hibbing Bluejackets.
And finally, in Section 8, veteran head coach Wendy Kohler leads the Alexandria Cardinals to the top and a possible rematch with the second seeded Bemidji Lumberjacks. They beat Bemidji 60-39 on January 27.
Who's left standing in Class AA? The answers are next.
In Section 1, the top seeded Red Wing Wingers are on a 10 game winning streak and need three more wins to reach the state tournament for the first time since 2013. They will have to get past the second seeded Austin Packers and the third seeded Kasson-Mantorville Komets.
The unbeaten Marshall Tigers are the top seed in Section 2 but four other teams have a shot at heading to The Barn. The second seeded Mankato West Scarlets are on a five game winning streak and lost to Marshall 67-54 on January 4. Two Wright County Conference schools are also in the hunt, the third seeded Waconia Wildcats and the fourth seeded Hutchinson Tigers. But wait. There's more. The fifth seeded St. Peter Saints enter section play on a three game winning streak. Can Marshall remain unbeaten or will any of the aforementioned contenders take home the section title hardware?
It could be a three team race for the Section 3 title. The top seeded Simley Spartans have won 21 consecutive games since starting the season 3-2 and looking for their first trip to state since 2014. But watch out for the second seeded St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders and the red hot third seeded St. Paul Como Park Cougars, winners of 13 straight games. It will be a horse race for the section title with no off track betting allowed.
To Section 4 as the defending Class AAA champion DeLaSalle Islanders have won 13 in a row and all of their by margins of 10 points or more. The second seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers, under the veteran leadership of Erin Herman have a shot at ending the Islanders championship reign and earn their first trip to state since 2013.
In Section 5, last year's Class AAA runner up the Becker Bulldogs are the top seed and enter sections with a 20 game winning streak. They could get into a third meeting with the second seeded Big Lake Hornets, a team they beat twice in the regular season.
There's been some outstanding girls basketball this season in Richfield as the Holy Angels Stars are the top seed and wrapped up the regular season on a seven game winning streak. The Stars public school rivals, the second seeded Richfield Spartans have hit a crowded roundabout as they have gone 3-10 after starting the season 13-0. Get ready for The Battle of Richfield in the section final.
Up north to Section 7 as Hermantown Hawks fans could be celebrating again if the boys hockey team heads back to the state tournament the preceding week. The hawks are the top seed and will battle the second seeded Princeton Tigers and the third seeded and defending section champion Hibbing Bluejackets.
And finally, in Section 8, veteran head coach Wendy Kohler leads the Alexandria Cardinals to the top and a possible rematch with the second seeded Bemidji Lumberjacks. They beat Bemidji 60-39 on January 27.
Who's left standing in Class AA? The answers are next.
2020 Class AAAA Girls Basketball Section Preview
The Road to the Barn gets underway with section play in four classes. The two small school classes, Class A & AA have already begun so first up is a preview of the eight Class AAAA sections.
In Section 1, the top seeded Farmington Tigers have been one of the dominant teams this season losing only to Hopkins and Rosemount. They're on a quest for their first trip to the state tournament. But the Tigers, led by 6'4" center Sophie Hart have serious competition ahead in the second seeded Rochester Mayo Spartans how have not lost a game since the calendar changed to 2020. Mayo has won 16 straight games. Also in the mix are the third seeded New Prague Trojans and the fourth seeded Rochester John Marshall Rockets.
The top seed in Section 2, the Chaska Hawks has gone 20-2 since they began the season 1-2. Don't count out the second seeded Eden Prairie Eagles or the third seeded Minnetonka Skippers.
Now to Section 3, where Irish eyes could be smiling again in Rosemount after the boys hockey team was eliminated by St. Thomas Academy. The top seeded Irish are in the hunt for their first state berth since 2002. They will have to get by the second seeded Lakeville North Panthers. And what happened to Eastview? The Lightning, guided by Molly Kasper are the fifth seed and could end their run of eight straight section titles since they have a record of 6-20.
The Stillwater Ponies lost Sara Scalia from last year's Class AAAA runner up team to graduation and the Minnesota Golden Gophers but they occupy the top seed in Section 4. But looking to dethrone the Ponies and head to The Barn for the first time is the second seeded East Ridge Raptors.
The green and gold of the Park Center Pirates is the top seed in Section 5. The Pirates have one of the top juniors in the state in Adalia McKenzie as she tries to help the Brooklyn Park school return to state since 2017. The section gets tougher with the second seeded Centennial Cougars, the third seeded Roseville Raiders and the fourth seeded Maple Grove Crimson. It has the makings of a tough section.
Over in Section 6, the defending Class AAAA champion Hopkins Royals are the top seed and you'll need only two words to describe their offense, Paige Bueckers. She is the top player in the state as well as the nation and she leads the Royals toward The Barn a final time before she plays for Geno Auriemma next season at UConn. Another player worth watching has an outstanding future, sophomore Maya Nnaji. Memo to Gopher head coach Lindsey Whalen, head over to Williams Arena to see Nnjai. She could help put the Gophers in the NCAA in 2023. Looking to dethrone Brian Cosgriff's bunch is the second seeded Wayzata Trojans and the third seeded St. Louis Park Orioles.
What a winter sports season it has been at Andover. The girls hockey team won the Class AA state title, the boys hockey team is one win away from heading to the X in St. Paul and the girls basketball team is the top seed in Section 7. They head into section play with four straight wins. Hoping to keep the Andover fan buses in the garage are two teams trying to end four game losing streaks, the second seeded Blaine Bengals and the third seeded Forest Lake Rangers.
Heading north to Section 8, where the top seeded Maple Grove Crimson are in the hunt for their third straight trip to state. But before Crimson fans head down I-94 to the U of M campus they will have to get past the second seeded St. Michael-Albertville Knights, who kept the Hopkins Royals winning margin under 10 in both games since they joined the Lake Conference this season. The third seeded Elk River Elks enter section play with a four game winning streak.
Next. The eight Class AAA sections.
In Section 1, the top seeded Farmington Tigers have been one of the dominant teams this season losing only to Hopkins and Rosemount. They're on a quest for their first trip to the state tournament. But the Tigers, led by 6'4" center Sophie Hart have serious competition ahead in the second seeded Rochester Mayo Spartans how have not lost a game since the calendar changed to 2020. Mayo has won 16 straight games. Also in the mix are the third seeded New Prague Trojans and the fourth seeded Rochester John Marshall Rockets.
The top seed in Section 2, the Chaska Hawks has gone 20-2 since they began the season 1-2. Don't count out the second seeded Eden Prairie Eagles or the third seeded Minnetonka Skippers.
Now to Section 3, where Irish eyes could be smiling again in Rosemount after the boys hockey team was eliminated by St. Thomas Academy. The top seeded Irish are in the hunt for their first state berth since 2002. They will have to get by the second seeded Lakeville North Panthers. And what happened to Eastview? The Lightning, guided by Molly Kasper are the fifth seed and could end their run of eight straight section titles since they have a record of 6-20.
The Stillwater Ponies lost Sara Scalia from last year's Class AAAA runner up team to graduation and the Minnesota Golden Gophers but they occupy the top seed in Section 4. But looking to dethrone the Ponies and head to The Barn for the first time is the second seeded East Ridge Raptors.
The green and gold of the Park Center Pirates is the top seed in Section 5. The Pirates have one of the top juniors in the state in Adalia McKenzie as she tries to help the Brooklyn Park school return to state since 2017. The section gets tougher with the second seeded Centennial Cougars, the third seeded Roseville Raiders and the fourth seeded Maple Grove Crimson. It has the makings of a tough section.
Over in Section 6, the defending Class AAAA champion Hopkins Royals are the top seed and you'll need only two words to describe their offense, Paige Bueckers. She is the top player in the state as well as the nation and she leads the Royals toward The Barn a final time before she plays for Geno Auriemma next season at UConn. Another player worth watching has an outstanding future, sophomore Maya Nnaji. Memo to Gopher head coach Lindsey Whalen, head over to Williams Arena to see Nnjai. She could help put the Gophers in the NCAA in 2023. Looking to dethrone Brian Cosgriff's bunch is the second seeded Wayzata Trojans and the third seeded St. Louis Park Orioles.
What a winter sports season it has been at Andover. The girls hockey team won the Class AA state title, the boys hockey team is one win away from heading to the X in St. Paul and the girls basketball team is the top seed in Section 7. They head into section play with four straight wins. Hoping to keep the Andover fan buses in the garage are two teams trying to end four game losing streaks, the second seeded Blaine Bengals and the third seeded Forest Lake Rangers.
Heading north to Section 8, where the top seeded Maple Grove Crimson are in the hunt for their third straight trip to state. But before Crimson fans head down I-94 to the U of M campus they will have to get past the second seeded St. Michael-Albertville Knights, who kept the Hopkins Royals winning margin under 10 in both games since they joined the Lake Conference this season. The third seeded Elk River Elks enter section play with a four game winning streak.
Next. The eight Class AAA sections.
Friday, February 21, 2020
An Example of Excellent Sportsmanship
Wednesday night, HSGN was present to cover the evening Class A quarterfinal session of the 2020 Minnesota State High School Girls Hockey Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
But the game was secondary to what the Golden Valley based team that won two consecutive state Class A titles and of this writing one win a way from a threepeat did after they scored eight goals in the first period against the Luverne Cardinals.
What Breck did after outshooting Luverne 25-6 in the first period was that they did not take another shot on goal the rest of the game. Head coach Steve Perisian did the right thing in not allowing his team to run up the score against the Cardinals, thus causing further embarrassment for the fans in attendance who came from southwestern Minnesota.
Though the rest of the game wasn't not much with the exception of a Luverne goal in the third period, it showed how important good sportsmanship in high school athletics.
Over the last 30+ years of attending state tournaments in person, there have been numerous public address announcements encouraging good sportsmanship. For several years in the 80s, at the championship game awards ceremony in basketball and hockey, sportsmanship banners were presented to a team who displayed outstanding sportsmanship. Even the author of this blog, who has been a PA announcer for 25 years for St. Louis Park High School athletics and also Trinity, Holy Angels and Groves Academy basketball in that time frame usually begins pregame announcement promoting sportsmanship. It's not just important to the athletes, it's important to the fans who come to cheer on their teams but in a positive manner.
One more example of outstanding sportsmanship goes back to the Bloomington Jefferson boys basketball team in the 1980-81 season. They scored 99 points against Minnetonka so head coach Jack Evens told his team to hold the ball in order to not score more than 100 points. The school newspaper, The Rebel praised the move by Evens and the jaguars not to reach the century mark.
But on that chilly Wednesday night in St. Paul, here's to the Breck Mustangs and they showed why good sportsmanship makes everyone a winner.
But the game was secondary to what the Golden Valley based team that won two consecutive state Class A titles and of this writing one win a way from a threepeat did after they scored eight goals in the first period against the Luverne Cardinals.
What Breck did after outshooting Luverne 25-6 in the first period was that they did not take another shot on goal the rest of the game. Head coach Steve Perisian did the right thing in not allowing his team to run up the score against the Cardinals, thus causing further embarrassment for the fans in attendance who came from southwestern Minnesota.
Though the rest of the game wasn't not much with the exception of a Luverne goal in the third period, it showed how important good sportsmanship in high school athletics.
Over the last 30+ years of attending state tournaments in person, there have been numerous public address announcements encouraging good sportsmanship. For several years in the 80s, at the championship game awards ceremony in basketball and hockey, sportsmanship banners were presented to a team who displayed outstanding sportsmanship. Even the author of this blog, who has been a PA announcer for 25 years for St. Louis Park High School athletics and also Trinity, Holy Angels and Groves Academy basketball in that time frame usually begins pregame announcement promoting sportsmanship. It's not just important to the athletes, it's important to the fans who come to cheer on their teams but in a positive manner.
One more example of outstanding sportsmanship goes back to the Bloomington Jefferson boys basketball team in the 1980-81 season. They scored 99 points against Minnetonka so head coach Jack Evens told his team to hold the ball in order to not score more than 100 points. The school newspaper, The Rebel praised the move by Evens and the jaguars not to reach the century mark.
But on that chilly Wednesday night in St. Paul, here's to the Breck Mustangs and they showed why good sportsmanship makes everyone a winner.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Rochester Lourdes Eagles Beat South St. Paul Packers in Overtime
It would be a happy bus ride down Highway 52 for the Rochester Lourdes Eagles as Emma Schmitz scored two goals, including the game winner :53 into overtime that beat the South St. Paul Packers 2-1 in the state Class A girls hockey quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
The Eagles had an opportunity with a five on three advantage for 1:18 but the couldn't capitalize on it. They would score the lone goal of the first period when Schmitz got the puck in the neutral zone, dribbled a few times, cut to the center slot and went left and put the puck in the net.
Neither team would tally in the second period. The Packers would even the score in the third period Brynn Sexauer, daughter of South St. Paul head football coach Chad Sexauer, rebounded Ella Reynolds shot into the net with 3:34 left in regulation time. The giant scoreboard didn't advance from the two ones so it was on to overtime.
It didn't take long for the Eagles to become the first Rochester school since 2007 to advance to a semifinal game. Schmitz drove through the center slot like the Green Line light rail train headed through downtown St. Paul and scored the game winner :53 into overtime.
Rochester Lourdes improved their record ro 18-10 and will face the Breck Mustangs in the Class A semifinals on Friday, February 21 at 1:30 PM at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. South St. Paul, playing in their 15th state tournament under head coach Dave Palmquist, fell to 19-8-1 and takes on the Luverne Cardinals in the consolation semifinals on Thursday, February 20 at noon at the TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul.
The Eagles had an opportunity with a five on three advantage for 1:18 but the couldn't capitalize on it. They would score the lone goal of the first period when Schmitz got the puck in the neutral zone, dribbled a few times, cut to the center slot and went left and put the puck in the net.
Neither team would tally in the second period. The Packers would even the score in the third period Brynn Sexauer, daughter of South St. Paul head football coach Chad Sexauer, rebounded Ella Reynolds shot into the net with 3:34 left in regulation time. The giant scoreboard didn't advance from the two ones so it was on to overtime.
It didn't take long for the Eagles to become the first Rochester school since 2007 to advance to a semifinal game. Schmitz drove through the center slot like the Green Line light rail train headed through downtown St. Paul and scored the game winner :53 into overtime.
Rochester Lourdes improved their record ro 18-10 and will face the Breck Mustangs in the Class A semifinals on Friday, February 21 at 1:30 PM at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. South St. Paul, playing in their 15th state tournament under head coach Dave Palmquist, fell to 19-8-1 and takes on the Luverne Cardinals in the consolation semifinals on Thursday, February 20 at noon at the TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul.
Eight First Period Goals Was Enough for Breck Mustangs
If you missed the first period of the opening game of the Class A evening session because you were stuck in rush hour traffic, you missed a huge offensive barrage that included hat tricks from Ally Qualley and Olivia Mobley that led the top seeded Breck Mustangs to an 8-1 win over the Luverne Cardinals in the State Girls Hockey Tournament quarterfinals Wednesday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
The Mustangs broke out of the starting gate :55 into the first period when Mobley's centering pass to Qualley bounced off her stick and crossed the goal line. Mobley, a Ms. Hockey finalist would score the second Breck goal, going through two Luverne defenders and scoring from the center slot. Mobley would score her second goal from the left side of the net to put the Mustangs ahead by three.
Qualley would tally :27 later as she went along the right boards, skated to the top of the faceoff circle and sent the puck to the net. Ava Lindsey would rebound her sister Sadie's shot and score :18 later and the lead was now five. Qualley would get the hat trick on a power play goal following a centering pass from Mobley. Ava Lindsey would score an unassisted goal to boost the lead to seven and Mobley would get the game's second hat trick when she went around the boards, headed to the right slot and shot the puck past Cardinal goalie Cheyenne Schutz to wrap up the first period scoring.
Breck, winners of two straight Class A titles, displayed outstanding sportsmanship the next two periods by not running up the score. They didn't even attempt a shot on goal. But Luverne averted a shutout on Billi Connell rebounded Regan Bork's shot into the net to concluded the scoring.
The Mustangs improved their record to 23-6 and advanced to the Class A semifinals on Friday, February 21 at 1:30 PM at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Cardinals fell to 22-5-1 and will play in the consolation semifinals on Thursday, February 20 at noon at the TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul.
The Mustangs broke out of the starting gate :55 into the first period when Mobley's centering pass to Qualley bounced off her stick and crossed the goal line. Mobley, a Ms. Hockey finalist would score the second Breck goal, going through two Luverne defenders and scoring from the center slot. Mobley would score her second goal from the left side of the net to put the Mustangs ahead by three.
Qualley would tally :27 later as she went along the right boards, skated to the top of the faceoff circle and sent the puck to the net. Ava Lindsey would rebound her sister Sadie's shot and score :18 later and the lead was now five. Qualley would get the hat trick on a power play goal following a centering pass from Mobley. Ava Lindsey would score an unassisted goal to boost the lead to seven and Mobley would get the game's second hat trick when she went around the boards, headed to the right slot and shot the puck past Cardinal goalie Cheyenne Schutz to wrap up the first period scoring.
Breck, winners of two straight Class A titles, displayed outstanding sportsmanship the next two periods by not running up the score. They didn't even attempt a shot on goal. But Luverne averted a shutout on Billi Connell rebounded Regan Bork's shot into the net to concluded the scoring.
The Mustangs improved their record to 23-6 and advanced to the Class A semifinals on Friday, February 21 at 1:30 PM at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Cardinals fell to 22-5-1 and will play in the consolation semifinals on Thursday, February 20 at noon at the TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul.
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