League-leader South Tames Tigers 4-1

by Pat Rupp

League-leading Lakeville South, the seventh-rated team in last week’s Class AA state rankings, ran its South Suburban Conference record to a perfect 11-0 with a 4-1 win over the Tigers Friday night at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

The Farmington loss was the second this week to a top-ten rated team. Tuesday they fell to No.2 Maple Grove by an identical 4-1 score.

“We flat out got beat. We came out flat and did not win races and did not stop and start to stay in the play,” Farmington coach Jon Holmes said. “In a game like this we need to find the gear to compete for the puck just as hard when we don't have it as when we do.

“That was not the issue at Maple Grove where we did get plenty of chances and competed for pucks. Against South we just weren't there.”

The Cougars and Tigers battled through a scoreless first period although the league leaders got by far the better of the play.

The scoring gates opened wide for the winners in the second period with three different Cougars finding the twine against Tiger goalie Emily Auge who entered in relief of starter Abby Bollig.

“Abby bruised her shoulder during warm-ups and had to leave early,” Holmes said. “Hopefully she will be back next week.”

Taylor Steffan, Josie Saufferer and Emmy Fischler scored the South goals in the second period with Saufferer’s coming on the power play.

Fischler made it 4-0 with a little over five minutes to go in regulation and a half minute later Bailey Kelley netted the lone Tiger score of the night on an assist from Marissa Agerter.

The third period was marred by a rash of penalties, three on each team, including a five-minute major against the Tigers for checking from behind.

“It didn’t get chippy,” Holmes said, “ and there were certainly some penalties that needed to be called, but we as a conference have an issue with penalties. I think it's on both the coaches and the referees. As coaches we honestly whine too much about penalties and unfortunately, the refs break down and call them.”

In five non-conference games officiated by non-league referees the Tigers have drawn 12 penalties. In a dozen league games, they have been whistled for 37 infractions.

Auge allowed all four South goals in her 44:35 between the pipes, finishing with 14 saves. Bollig had eight saves in her 6:25 in the nets.

The Cougars outshot the Tigers 26-15.

The loss dropped Farmington to 8-7-1 for the season and 3-6 against South Suburban Conference competition.

Next week features two more conference games, Tuesday at Eagan and Saturday at Prior Lake. Earlier in the season Eagan downed the Tigers 3-1 while Prior Lake prevailed by a 2-0 margin.