Down a goal midway through the third period, eighth-grader Abigal Boreen slipped her stick through two Hornets’ defenders and connected with the puck, sending it between the legs of Boomer Sonnek and into the net.

Boreen’s late-game heroics saved the No. 4-ranked Pioneers from a loss, leveling the score and forcing the overtime period.

“It was such a relief,” said Boreen about her goal in the eventual 1-1 tie with Edina at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood. “Lindsey Featherstone was carrying it [the puck] down the boards, and she just laid it out front, and I went five-hole.”

The No. 7-ranked Hornets (15-7-3) generated the majority of scoring chances in the extra eight minutes, but Hill-Murray goaltender Leah Patrick did her part to help the Pioneers salvage the tie.

“The compete was there, especially going into overtime," Patrick said. "That was a really good experience to get us ready for sections.”

The Pioneers (23-3-1) swept the Classic Suburban conference winning all 12 games, and they were looking to extend a nine-game win streak against the Hornets. 

“We had a great regular season," Hill-Murray coach Bill Schafhauser said. “Sometimes with ties you are disappointed, but coming back and tying it -- it was a great game from both teams.” 

Edina head coach Dean Williamson agreed.

“We knew it was going to be a dogfight,” Williamson said. “A couple heavyweights slugging it out, we took some punches, they took some punches - not literal punches - but we had eachother on the ropes. It was a great battle and the kids played hard and it was a great test for both clubs entering sections.”

The Hornets are too familiar with high-stakes games, being a member of the juggernaut Lake Conference, where all five teams sit ranked among the state's top 10. It was the fifth overtime game of the season for Edina.

“It’s fun to play those games, there’s no question," Williamson said. "It’s usually one breakdown here or there that makes or breaks you. It mentally makes the girls sound. 

“The flip side is, they’ve been grinding it out for over a month. Mentally they are worn out but I know they’ll get recharged here for a playoff stretch."

Edina’s lone goal was scored by senior captain Emily Eide. Anna Rusk dumped the puck into the zone and was interfered with, drawing the penalty. Rusk continued to hustle for the puck and centered it off her backhand to find Eide sliding through the slot to score. 

“I was just dropping down and I had the lane," Eide said. "That’s my prime spot, right over the goalie’s pads.”

Both goaltenders had standout performances as Sonnek finished with 30 saves and Patrick stopped 24 shots.

“We have gotten comfortable going into overtime,” Eide said. “But we need to find a way to score that last goal and not be comfortable with a tie. I think we have gotten too comfortable with tying.”