Breck’s Ava Lindsay comes up with the game-winning goal with under two minutes remaining in the game, leading the Mustangs to a 6-5 win over the Eagles Saturday afternoon. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine
Breck and Rochester Lourdes’ rosters are littered with star players who have already filled up the stat sheet this season. On Saturday, their skill was put on full display.
In what might be considered an early candidate for girls’ hockey game of the year, Breck and Rochester Lourdes faced off in an entertaining 51-minute battle that featured 11 goals and 11 penalties. In the end, the Mustangs’ biggest stars stepped up with late scores as Breck emerged with a 6-5 win, keeping its perfect record against Class 1A opponents intact.
From the opening faceoff, the Mustangs (5-1, 0-0) were determined to get their offense going with sustained pressure. In the early minutes, the two-time defending Class 1A champions had three shots on goal but hit the post twice.
“That comes from our cornerstone values of speed and quickness,” Breck coach Steve Persian said. “You see us build on that with kids who can score goals and put up pretty good numbers.”
But the Eagles (4-2) feature their own share of scorers, including senior forward Emma Schmitz, who notched the game’s first goal on a blast from the point to put Rochester Lourdes ahead 1-0. Aside from using their own firepower, the Eagles did their best to slow down the high-powered Mustangs.
Photo Gallery: Rochester Lourdes vs. Breck
“We preached all game that we had to keep them on the outside,” Rochester Lourdes coach Jeff True said. “We didn’t want them getting inside that high-slot or the point.”
Ultimately, Breck’s offense continued to pour on chance after chance in Saturday’s game. That left a lot of responsibility on the plate of senior goaltender Corrin Hanson. Despite giving up six goals, the senior stopped 28 shots, many of which were quality scoring chances.
“When we’re playing the best teams, she gives us her best game,” True said. “It says a lot about this game that she gave up six goals, but still made some incredible saves.”
Hanson’s goaltending kept the game from getting out of reach for the Eagles. Eventually, Rochester Lourdes erased a two-goal deficit and tied the game at four and later at five in the third period.
“It was good to see our girls come back, especially after we laid an egg and lost Tuesday” True said. “We knew they were going to be a tough battle and we needed to bring 100% of our game.”
After Rochester Lourdes tied it 4-4, senior forward Olivia Mobley took matters into her own hands as the Quinnipiac commit raced down the ice to score and give her team back the lead.
Then, it was freshman forward Ava Lindsay’s turn. The future Golden Gopher parked herself in front of the net and scored on the power play to complete a hat trick, giving her team the lead for good as Breck went ahead 6-5. Mobley leads the Mustangs with 11 goals while Lindsay’s three goals on Saturday give her five this season to go along with eight assists.
“It wasn’t surprising to see Olivia and Ava step up,” Persian said. “When it comes to crunch time, they’re always executing with efficiency.”
“We have a lot of players who can take that role, but today it was Olivia and Ava.”
Despite the age range of Breck players going from eighth grade to senior, the Mustangs have shown consistently that any player of any age can contribute. That was proof positive in Saturday’s win.
“One of the things that’s impressive about this program is that the culture invites everyone to participate,” Persian said. “We make it inviting to every girl no matter what community they come from. We’re sort of a rainbow team.”
In the second period, Breck’s Shae Messner scored the Mustangs' fourth goal Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs beat Rochester Lourdes 6-5. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine
First Report
Two-time Class 1A state champion Breck was in the midst of a heavyweight title bout of sorts with Rochester Lourdes Saturday afternoon. Thanks to freshman forward Ava Linsday, the Mustangs got the last punch as Breck snuck past the Eagles 6-5 at Anderson Ice Arena.
Rochester Lourdes (4-2) staved off pressure from Breck from the start, as the Mustangs put three quick shots on net. The Eagles, ranked No. 10 in the Class 1A coaches’ poll, quickly responded as senior forward Emma Schmitz notched the game’s first goal to make it 1-0 Rochester Lourdes. Schmitz, a Sacred Heart commit, added three assists later to finish with four points.
The Mustangs (5-1, 0-0) stuck with the Eagles, thanks to a front line stocked full of scorers. Senior forward Olivia Mobley, who had a pair of goals and an assist Saturday, tallied No. 3-1A Breck’s first goal. She now has a team-best 13 goals through six games.
After the Mustangs took a 4-3 lead into the second intermission, the third period was full of lead changes. Rochester Lourdes senior forward Sarah Dravis scored her second of the game to make it 4-4 before Mobley and Eagles junior defender Maggie Hanzel each scored for their respective team to make it 5-5.
Then, Lindsay completed a hat trick, tallying the eventual game-winner late in the third period on the power play to give Breck the win.
Despite the game’s high score, each goaltender made her share of saves. Rochester Lourdes senior goalie Corrin Hanson made 28 saves while her counterpart, Breck freshman goaltender Sarah Peterson, stopped 11 shots.
The Eagles' Maggie Hanzel takes a slap shot after crossing the blue line to give the Eagles a 5-5 tie in the third period. The Eagles eventually lost to the Mustangs 6-5. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine
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