For the past two seasons, Leah Patrick was a mainstay in Hill-Murray's goal. She led the Pioneer to back-to-back Class 2A state championships and was a top-5 finalist for Senior Goalie of the Year, but now she’s playing protecting the net for Union College, a Division I program in New York.

Patrick’s departure gave Mari Johnson a turn in the crease, and the senior is making the most of the opportunity. She stopped 22 of 23 shots in Hill-Murray’s 3-1 victory over Blake on Tuesday night at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood. 

While the matchup featured the No. 1-ranked teams in each class in the state coaches’ preseason polls, it was the Pioneers  - Class 2A’s top squad - who left with top billing behind the play of Johnson.

Hill-Murray coach Bill Schafhauser called Johnson’s game “outstanding.”  

“She’s been waiting in the wings for a long time,” he said. “She’s had her games, but not looked at as the No. 1 goalie. So it’s a new experience for her, and I thought she played great.”   

In Johnson’s sophomore season, she posted a 4-1 record with one shutout and a 1.69 goals-against average. The following year she was 3-0 with two shutouts, a 0.50 GGA and a .931 save percentage. 

Johnson had a worker’s mentality before her senior season.  

“If I kept watching and worked really hard in practice every day, gave my all every day and gave my all in the games I did play last year, that it would carry forward into this year, and I knew I had to step up and do my job,” Johnson said.

She definitely completed the duties that were at hand for her Tuesday night, helping contain one half of a scoring tandem that helped the Bears average 4.72 goals per game in the regular season last year.

The bulk of that scoring came from forwards Karlie Lund and Carly Bullock, who combined to record a goal and an assist in Blake’s 4-3 overtime victory over Hill-Murray in the semifinals of the Kaposia Classic Invitational on Jan. 2. 

Lund has graduated and plays for Princeton, but Bullock, who led the Bears in points last season (42 goals, 29 assists), is back and remains an offensive threat.

Bullock, who has also committed to Princeton, tallied the Blake’s lone goal on Tuesday night, but not until there was 14 seconds left in the third period. 

Bullock received the puck near the left faceoff circle and skated towards the slot, where she unleashed a wrist shot that beat Johnson top shelf. 

Senior Jac Kaasa said Tuesday’s performance was a crucial moment in Johnson’s career.

“Knowing her and her personality, that’s awesome for her, and we’re so happy for her,” said Kaasa, who registered a goal and assist against the No. 1-1A Bears (1-1). “And this is her first opportunity, her first year she’s a starting goalie, and everyone looks up to her. This was just a big turning point.”      

Kaasa, who has several classes with Johnson, said her teammate is quiet - most of the time.  

“For the most part, she’ll stay kind of reserved,” Kaasa said. “But when she gets an opportunity to jump on something funny, she will.”  

It remains to be seen how big of an impact Johnson will have as Hill-Murray’s season progresses and the Pioneers (1-0) seek their third consecutive state championship. 

Freshman Ava Bailey is slated to start against Eden Prairie on Saturday, but Johnson said having a strong mental toughness will be key for her to be successful this season.

“Staying positive is a big thing,” Johnson said. “I don’t like to be negative. If you let a goal in, you just shake it off and get on to the next one and move on...and stopping pucks, all you gotta do is stop a puck.”  

Senior forward Jac Kaasa tallied a goal and an assist in Hill-Murray’s 3-1 season-opening win over Blake on Tuesday night at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood.

Kaasa tapped in the first goal for the Pioneers (1-0), ranked No.1 in the Class 2A state coaches' poll, with 10:10 left in the opening period. Senior defender Mekenzie Steffen took the initial shot from the high slot, and Kaasa snuck the puck past the Bears' surprised sophomore goalie Anna Kruesel.

Hill-Murray added two goals in the second period as senior forwards Laura Anderson and Kate Smith each scored. Assisting on Anderson’s goal was Kaasa and freshman forward Katie Kaufman, while sophomore forward Abigail Boreen set up Smith's score.

Senior forward Carly Bullock had the lone goal for No. 1-1A Blake (1-1), scoring with 14 seconds left in the third period.    

Kruesel and Pioneers goalie Mari Johnson each stopped 23 shots.

Hill-Murray hosts Eden Prairie on Saturday. Blake looks to get back on track while traveling to Class 2A opponent Lakeville North on Friday.     

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