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Defending 2A champ Andover stakes a lead, powers past Farmington

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune , 03/27/21, 7:45PM CDT

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Sophomore center Ella Boerger scored twice in the first period as the Huskies moved to the semifinals with a 4-0 victory.


Andover's Ella Boerger (15) slips the puck past goaltender Ryleigh Furlong for the second of her two goals in the first period. The Huskies move on to the semi-finals with a 4-0 win over the Tigers. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Centering gifted senior wings Peyton Hemp and Gabby Krause, Andover sophomore Ella Boerger keeps it low key while contributing to the state’s highest scoring offense.

“She’s more quiet,” said Hemp, a Ms. Hockey Award finalist. “But she has come out of her shell more this year.”

Opposing goalies certainly have heard from Boerger. She scored twice in the first period of a 4-0 Class 2A state quarterfinal victory Saturday against Farmington. Her 27 goals this season trail only Hemp for most among the defending state champion Huskies.

Boerger replaced graduated senior Jamie Nelson, one of the top players in program history.

“She has really filled an important role,” coach Melissa Volk said. “She keeps up with the other two speed-wise.”

Their hockey-sense is in sync as well. Both of Boerger’s goals Saturday came on feeds from Hemp, the state’s leader with 44 assists. The first Hemp pass came from behind the net into the slot. The second sprang Boerger on a rush from the neutral zone.

“Gabby and I love her a lot,” Hemp said. “We are grateful to have her as a linemate.”

Gratitude extended to sophomore goalie Courtney Stagman as well. She stopped an early Farmington (11-9-1) scoring chance and gave her teammates a boost.

“Courtney really played with a lot of confidence and did a good job,” Volk said.

Second period goals from senior Grace Berg and junior Sara Kaiser doubled the Huskies’ lead. Andover (21-0) has now outscored teams 186-7.

 

First report

Underdog Farmington fired the first shot on goal Saturday the Class 2A state quarterfinal against Andover.

But the favored Huskies tallied the game’s first goal and never looked back.

Defending state champion and top-ranked Andover dispatched Farmington 4-0 and advanced to Thursday’s semifinals against the winner of Eastview and Stillwater.

Farmington (11-9-1) got a solid first shot but goalie Courtney Stagman made the save.

Then Andover (21-0), which outscored teams 182-7 coming into Saturday’s game, took control.

Sophomore center Ella Boerger scored twice in the first period on assists from Ms. Hockey Award finalist Peyton Hemp.

Second period goals from senior forward Grace Berg and junior Sara Kaiser doubled the Huskies’ advantage.

Check back later for more on the game.


Tyra Turner (28) attempts to deflect the puck into the net past goaltender Ryleigh Furlong. The defending state champions are one game closer to defending their title with a 4-1 win over Farmington. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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