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2016 Senior Goalies of the Year Announced

By LPH, 02/05/16, 11:45AM CST

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Lauren Bench • Burnsville

A mainstay in the Burnsville nets since her eighth-grade season, Lauren Bench owns the Blaze career records for wins, shutouts and saves. This season, she compiled an 8-17-1 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage to go along with two shutouts.

A three-time all-conference selection and a two-year team captain, Bench played all but 12 minutes this season and allowed two or fewer goals in 14 of her 26 starts. During the year, she was involved in six one-goal games and faced 30 or more shots in 16 contests. Bench will continue her hockey career at Bemidji State.

“Lauren Bench is the backbone of the Burnsville hockey program,” Blaze coach Tracy Cassano said. “Lauren’s talents and skills are remarkable, but what impresses me is her ability to relentlessly work hard at fine-tuning and improving areas in her game that will make her a better goalie. She is the ideal example of what it takes to be successful at the high school level and beyond.”

The owner of a 3.802 GPA, Bench is ranked in the top 15 percent of her class and is the recipient of a Wolfram Mathematica Award and a State Science Fair Bronze Award. She is a member of the varsity golf and softball teams, a MN Special Hockey and Mite hockey volunteer and a member of the BHS student council.

“Lauren is an all-around phenomenal young lady,” Cassano said. “She truly is a team player on the ice and in her community. She works hard to help make every one around her better. She takes time out of her busy schedule to give back to the sport that she loves and to work with young hockey players.”


Jenna Brenneman • Breck

The owner of some of the best statistical numbers in the state, Jenna Brenneman has helped Breck to a 21-4-0 overall record and the No. 1 ranking in Class A. Through the end of the regular season, she has compiled a .962 save percentage (second in the state), a 0.88 goals-against average  (fourth) and seven shutouts (tied for third).

Splitting time with Senior Goalie of the Year semifinalist, Brenneman owns a 13-1-0 record and has allowed more than two goals in only one game this season. In her last 11 starts, Brenneman has allowed a total of eight goals. She will play college hockey at Clarkson.

“Jenna has been one of the team’s backbones since I started coaching at Breck,” Mustangs coach Ronda Engelhardt said. “She sets high expectations for herself and has dedicated herself to being the best goalie she can be by putting a lot of heart and work in.”

Away from the ice, Brenneman has volunteered her time with the Special Olympics, Opportunity Partners, Metro Kids and local food shelves.

“Jenna has a team-first attitude and wants to do her part in helping the team be successful,” Engelhardt said. “She has shown that she puts her team’s goals ahead of her own, sacrificing going to nationals in favor of staying with her team, which not too many players would do.”

Chloe Crosby • Lakeville South

For the better part of five seasons, it’s been Chloe Crosby in the nets for the Lakeville South Cougars. Since her eighth-grade year, she has won over 70 percent of her games, and has allowed two or fewer goals in over 75 percent of her games. This season, Crosby owns a 12-5-2 overall record with a 2.27 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage and three shutouts.

A three-time all-conference honoree, Crosby backstopped the Cougars to fourth place in the state last season and has allowed two or fewer goals in 13 games this season. She will continue her hockey career at Minnesota State in the fall.

“Chloe is an outstanding goaltender who has very strong technical skills,” Lakeville South coach Mark Johnson said. “She puts our team at ease when she is back there and gives us a chance regardless of the opponent and has the ability to steal games. As a team captain, the girls look up to her for her outstanding work ethic and leadership on and off the ice.”

Off the ice, Crosby owns a 3.8 GPA and has earned the South Suburban Conference Academic Achievement Award multiple times. She is a captain of the Cougar lacrosse team that finished as state runner-up last season. Crosby has also volunteered the last five years as a mentor for the Lakeville Hockey Association.

“Chloe is recognized by her coaches and school staff as a mature young lady who uses good judgment on and off the ice and is viewed as a leader,” Johnson said. “She is known as a person who is always there for her friends.  Chloe also has a very kind heart and cares about others, typically putting the needs of others in front of her own.”

Catherine Johnson • St. Paul United

One of the state’s top goalies the past three seasons, Catherine Johnson has compiled a 15-4-1 record with a 1.31 goals-against average (ninth in the state) and a .929 save percentage to go along with her eight shutouts (second in the state). A two-year team captain, she has backstopped United to a 19-5-1 record and the No. 5 ranking in Class A.

This season, Johnson has allowed two or fewer goals in 15 of her 22 starts and opened the season with 14 consecutive wins. Of her five losses, four came to Breck and Blake – the top two teams in Class A – with the other a 3-2 loss to Class AA Dodge County.

“Catherine is dedicated to the game and strives to get better everyday,” St. Paul United coach Nate Mauer said. “She is a two-year captain and leader of the team on and off the ice. She gives the team confidence and the belief they can win every game.”

The owner of a 3.33 GPA, Johnson is very involved in St. Paul Academy, serving on the hiring committee for incoming teachers, as well as working as a public relations officer for Students for Social Justice. Also a member of the varsity lacrosse team, Johnson was the founder of United’s Lace Up for Lymphoma/Leukemia fundraiser.

“Catherine displays leadership and commitment both on and off the ice,” Mauer said.

Clare Minnerath • Sartell/Sauk Rapids

A mainstay in the Storm ’N Sabres nets since her sophomore season, Clare Minnerath has led Sartell/Sauk Rapids to a 15-7-0 overall record. Through the end of the regular season, Minnerath owns a 1.28 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage – both eighth in the state – as well as seven shutouts (tied for third in the state).

She has allowed two or fewer goals in 19 of her 22 starts and owns a 15-7-0 record. A three-year all-conference and all-section honoree, Minnerath was the St. Cloud Times Player of the Year last season. She has 54 career wins and 21 career shutouts and owns nearly all of the program’s season and career records. She will continue her hockey career at Providence in the fall.

“Clare is the hardest working player we have had come through our program,” Sartell/Sauk Rapids coach Marty Anderson said. She is exactly what we need as a captain, and has done so for two seasons. Clare continues to work on her skills and is never satisfied, always pushing to get better. She has been the rock on what will be three very good teams at Sartell/Sauk Rapids.”

Away from hockey, Minnerath ranks first in her class with a 4.208 GPA and has earned three academic letters. A captain and all-state midfielder for the Sartell-St. Stephen girls’ soccer team that advanced to three state tournaments, she was the 2015 St. Cloud Times Soccer Player of the Year. In addition, she is a two-time lacrosse team captain. Volunteer efforts have included giving her time to her local church and Sartell Youth Soccer.

“Clare is a great student, a great goalie, and an even better person,” Anderson said. “She understands that hockey is not just stats and wins; it’s deeper than that. Clare has the calmest demeanor I have ever coached. Nothing phases her, perfect for a goalie, and she gets along with everyone.” 

 

The five finalists for the Senior Goalie of the Year Award combine for a 1.72 goals-against average, a .934 save percentage and a grade-point average of 3.53. All five of this year’s finalists are heading to Division I programs in the fall. The finalists include three goalies from Class AA and two from Class A.

The Senior Goalie of the Year Award is presented to the top senior girls’ high school hockey goalie in the state of Minnesota, based on the following criteria: academics, community/extra-curricular activities, citizenship, coachability and, of course, on-ice performance.

 

The winner of the LPH Senior Goalie of the Year Award will be named at the Ms. Hockey Awards Banquet on Sunday, Feb. 21, at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Additionally, all-state and all-academic awards will be presented by the Minnesota Girls’ Hockey Coaches Association, as well as the coaches of the year, the Brano Stankovsky Award, and the Charlie Stryker and Adrenaline Fundraising Scholarship awards for 2015-16. Tickets for the Ms. Hockey Awards Banquet may be ordered by calling 952-944-0023.

 

The Senior Goalie of the Year Award is sponsored by Let’s Play Hockey, the Minnesota Wild and Shakopee Chevrolet.

 

Past winners: 2015 Frances Marshall (Thief River Falls), 2014 Erin O’Neil (Hopkins), 2013 Sydney Rossman (Minnetonka), 2012 Erika Allen (Roseville Area), 2011 Julie Friend (Minnetonka), 2010 Kallie Billadeau (Hopkins), 2009 Laura Bellamy (Duluth), 2008 Alyssa Grogan (Eagan), 2007 Ashley Nixon (Blaine), 2006 Allana McCready (Centennial), 2005 Johanna Ellison (Cloquet/Esko/Carlton), 2004 Emily Brookshaw (Hill-Murray), 2003 Robin Doepke (Chaska), 2002 Amber Hasbargen (Warroad), 2001 Jody Horak (Blaine), 2000 Shari Vogt (River Lakes), 1999 Katie Beauduy (Blaine).