South St. Paul starting goaltender Kaity McKenzie was out of the lineup due to a bruised wrist she sustained in a loss to St. Paul United last week.
The injury brought Northfield transfer Janaya Severson her first varsity start in net, where the senior goalie helped shut out Minnehaha United 3-0 Thursday night at Wakota Arena and give the Packers their first win of the season.
Severson played youth hockey for South St. Paul but moved to Northfield as an underclassman. She returned to coach Dave Palmquist’s program last year, sitting out the season in accordance with the Minnesota State High School League's transfer policy.
“She was originally a South St. Paul kid and she always wanted to play for the Packers,” Palmquist said. “When she came back she knew we had a starting goalie in place, but when somebody gets hurt, it brings about an opportunity for someone else.”
Severson saw little action through the first two periods, where the Packers outshot Minnehaha United tenfold. The final period was a different story as she stopped all seven shots she faced and finished the game with 10 saves.
“She really capitalized on her opportunity and played well,” Palmquist said.
South St. Paul (1-1-1), ranked No. 12 in the Class 1A coaches' poll, dominated the possession game, trapping United (1-2) in its own zone for the majority of 51 minutes with an aggressive defensive core who pinched often.
“All of them have their own unique qualities they bring to the team,” Palmquist said.
Junior defenseman Makena Burke freely carried the puck wherever she pleased, including out of the Packers' zone. In the first period, she took the puck coast to coast, pulled it to her backhand and slipped a wrist shot right of United goaltender Anya Crane.
“She’s an outstanding player. Physical and has a great shot,” Palmquist said.
Bouncing back from the loss to No. 4-1A St. Paul United, a team South St. Paul defeated 2-1 in the Section 4 finals last year, the Packers have a long road back to the state tournament.
“Over the next two or three months, we have to keep getting better everyday,” Palmquist said.
