Breck players celebrated a first-period goal by Ava Lindsay in their Class 1A semifinal against Rochester Lourdes. Photo: Brian Peterson * brian.peterson@startribune.com
No. 1-seeded Breck is now one victory from its third consecutive Class 1A state championship and fourth overall.
The Mustangs scored seven goals in the final two periods in a 9-1 victory over Rochester Lourdes in a state semifinal Friday, setting up a championship matchup on Saturday against No. 3 Cloquet-Esko-Carlton. Despite the wide margin, Breck coach Steve Persian said he didn’t see what he wanted from his team.
“We started off pretty slow and it’s not really the start that we need (Saturday),” he said. “They’re going to be a team, if we start off that slow, we’re going to run into some problems.”
It wasn’t the start Rochester Lourdes envisioned, either. Eagles coach Jeff True said the team looked nervous throughout the first half of the game. By the time players settled down midway through the second period, Breck’s lead had grown to 5-0.
No. 1-seeded Breck is now one victory from its third consecutive Class 1A state championship.
The Mustangs defeated Rochester Lourdes 9-1 on Friday at Xcel Energy Center, setting up a title game matchup against No. 3 Cloquet-Esko-Carlton on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
Goals flowed in consistently for the Mustangs. Ava Lindsay scored first eight minutes into the game on a power-play. Hannah Halverson added a goal for a 2=- lead after one period.
Before 10 minutes passed in the second period, Breck’s lead had stretched to 5-0.
Rochester Lourdes scored later in the period as senior Sarah Dravis got the puck under Breck goaltender Sarah Peterson’s pads.
The Eagles had a chance to score again as the period came to a close. In a matter of 46 seconds, three Breck players found themselves in the penalty box, giving Rochester Lourdes nearly four minutes of 5-on-3 play.
But the advantage, which ended in the opening moments of the third period, proved futile. Moments after the power play ended, Breck’s Olivia Mobley scored to make it a 6-1 game.
Mobley, the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, finished with four goals.
Rochester Lourdes goaltender Corrin Hansen had 37 saves.
Check back later for more on the game.