FURLONG, TIGERS BLANK IRISH 3-0

by Pat Rupp

Farmington’s steady improvement continued Friday night in a 3-0 South Suburban Conference shutout victory over Rosemount at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak and upped the Tigers’ season and conference record to 2-3. The Irish fell to 3-2.

Senior goalkeeper Ryleigh Furlong and a strong, all-around team defensive effort sparked the effort. Furlong turned in her best performance of the season, stopping all 30 shots sent her way in earning her first shutout of the year.

“Ryleigh played great,” Farmington coach Jon Holmes said. “She looked confident and moved in a calm manner. With the work she has been putting in with coach Grogan (goalie coach Alyssa), it is nice to see it all paying off.”

After an evenly played, scoreless first period, the Tigers dented the scoreboard first on a power play goal by leading scorer Sadie Long (from Jayden Seifert) a minute into the second.

Later in the second frame, Kenna Kadrlik gave the home team a two-goal lead on assists from Carly Lancaster and Kennedy Meier.

Long added a cherry on the victory sundae with her second score of the night, this one again from Seifert at the 4:14 mark of the final period. Long’s two goals give her a team-leading seven over the team’s first five games.

Holmes said another key to the win was how the forwards joined the blue line crew in turning in its best defensive effort of the still young season.

“Sometimes when you have really strong defensemen, the forwards have a tendency to cheat a little bit and take off the other way,” Holmes said. “In this game they bought in more to the defensive zone. It was good to see that sense of urgency in them. We still have to do more, but this was a good step in the right direction.”

Holmes also had words of praise for his bench which gave non-stop support from the sidelines.

“We were more positive and communicating effectively,” he said. “It may have been the most improved aspect of our game.”

In addition to the on-ice work, Holmes said he and his staff will continue to work on team building as the season progresses. That includes another get-together with sports psychologist Dr. Cindra Kamphoff. Holmes has used Kamphoff in past years with much success.

The Tigers don’t have long to savor the win over Rosemount as Lakeville South (4-1) invades Schmitz-Maki Tuesday night. Opening face-off is set for 7:00.