Cougars Nip Tigers in a Thriller

By Pat Rupp

Josie Saufferer scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period to give league-leading Lakeville South a 2-1 South Suburban Conference win over Farmington Saturday afternoon at Hasse Arena.

The win kept the Cougars (7-0-1) atop the conference standings with one game to go in their first trip through the conference schedule. The Tigers finished round one with a 4-3-2 conference mark.

“All around it was a pretty good game,” Tiger coach Jon Holmes said, “but  leaving the rink I definitely feel as if we let one slip away…We outshot, and I thought, outplayed them but we just couldn't find a way to get the puck into the net.”

The teams skated to a scoreless first period even though the visiting Tigers ended the first 17 minutes with a commanding 9-2 edge in shots on goal.

Abbie Pearson gave South its first lead at 12 minutes of the second period but within seconds Ellie Moser knotted the score with her 17th goal of the year.

Both teams had chances late but Saufferer’s tough angle shot was the only one to find twine.

“The two goals they scored came from awkward angles from the side boards and below the dots which happens now and then, but to get two in one night is very rare. We kept their shots outside and didn't give them any real prime opportunities. That was a positive.”

Farmington outshot South 25-21 for the game but couldn’t slip the puck past Cougar netminder Lexi Baker over the final 23-plus minutes.

“We just didn't get enough support from our second and third forecheckers to get rebounds and second chances in front,” Holmes said. “We worked hard and our effort was very admirable. 

“Now it is just a matter of time to channel that effort into high percentage plays working in two's and three's to make chances rather than individually.”

Tiger goalie Emily Auge had a good night between the pipes, stopping 19 of 21 Cougar shots.

Farmington kicks off the second round of conference play Tuesday with a home tilt against Eagan which is coached by former Tiger standout Kallie Flor. The Wildcats defeated the Tigers 5-2 when the two teams met earlier in the season in Eagan.