Is every Andover game a big one? It sure seems like it. As the state’s last unbeaten team, the No. 1-2A Huskies are lugging a target that seems the size of Texas to rinks throughout the metro.
Frontrunner pressure seemingly hasn’t been an issue, however. With victories over high-powered No. 8-2A Forest Lake (3-1 on Dec. 12), No. 6-2A Maple Grove (3-0 on Dec. 17) and No. 5-2A Eden Prairie (6-2 on Dec. 19) in three of their last four outings, the Huskies (14-0-0, 9-0-0) haven’t had a triumph by fewer than two goals since way back on Nov. 7, in their season-opening 1-0 win against No. 2-2A Edina.
Andover freshman Isa Goettl has emerged as a scoring phenom, racking up 13 goals, including eight in her last seven games.
Defending Class 1A champion Breck (12-4-0, 0-1-0) is ranked No. 1 among the small schools, and all four of its losses have come against big-school powers — Benilde-St. Margaret’s (6-3 on Nov. 12), No. 3-2A Blake (5-4 on Dec. 14) and No. 2-2A Edina (twice; 6-1 on Dec. 3 and 1-0 on Dec. 28 ).
Mustangs senior Olivia Mobley is tied for second in the state with 26 goals.