Emily Fischler may be a freshman, but the youngest player in the Lakeville South lineup played like a seasoned veteran in a nonconference game against Wayzata on Thursday at Hasse Arena.

The forward scored her first varsity goals, leading the Cougars to a 2-1 victory over the Trojans in a matchup featuring two of the state’s top-ranked teams. Lakeville South is No. 14 in the Class 2A coaches poll, while Wayzata is No. 5.

“Any time a freshman can knock in her first (goal) and get that monkey off her back, it’s great,” Lakeville South coach Natalie Darwitz said. “(Fischler) was known as a goal scorer at the youth level, so (varsity hockey) has been an eye-opening experience for her.”

Fischler opened some eyes with her scoring, as well.

A wide-open Fischler took a pass in the slot and backhanded the puck past Wayzata junior goaltender Sarah Stelter to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead at the 6:45 mark of the second period.

Fischler said she pushed aside any anxious thoughts and maintained her focus on the play.

“I just wanted to forge ahead,” Fischler said with a smile. “My head was down, and I was just looking at that puck and trying to bury it.”

Fischler scored the game-winning goal nearly seven minutes into the third period, slamming home another shot from the slot.

Senior forward Morgan Morse, who was an All-Conference Honorable Mention selection for the Cougars last season, assisted on both goals and said playing with Fischler is easy. 

“She knows where to be at the right time, just showing up in front of the net and finishing,” Morse said.

The chemistry Fischler and Morse have on the ice stems from the strong relationships the team’s juniors and seniors have built with the freshmen and sophomores.

“We have a lot of upperclassmen, and they’re all great leaders,” Morse said while slinging her arm around Fischler.

It’s a bond Fischler appreciates. 

“The (upperclassmen) are showing me the right path,” she said. “They’re being great role models, and I wouldn’t want to play with anyone else.”

Freshman forward Emily Fischler scored two goals as Lakeville South eked out a 2-1 victory over Wayzata in a nonconference game Thursday night at Haase Arena in Lakeville.

Junior goaltender Chloe Crosby stopped 21 shots for the Cougars (2-0-0), ranked No. 14 in the latest Class 2A coaches poll. 

Lakeville South opened the scoring at the 6:45 mark of the second period when Fischler received a pass in the Wayzata slot and backhanded the puck past Trojans junior goaltender Sarah Stelter. Senior forward Morgan Morse recorded the assist.

Wayzata (2-1-1), ranked No. 5, scored four minutes later. Junior forward Meg Ransom pushed the puck through a pile of bodies in front of the Lakeville South net for the equalizer. 

The Cougars’ game-winner came nearly seven minutes into the third period as Fischler slammed home a shot from the slot after taking another pass from Morse. 

Lakeville South was able to hold off a late push by the Trojans to escape with the win.

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