Alexandria coach Mitch Loch knew all too well how dangerous No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Warroad could be.

The Warriors dumped his Cardinals 10-0 in last season’s Class 1A tournament semifinals. On Wednesday, as two goals in the final minute of the first period put Warroad ahead 4-0, Loch sensed trouble.

“It’s hard to give up a couple goals late,” Loch said. “That kind of crushed our hopes.”

Warroad added three more goals in the second period and began defense of its state title with a 7-0 victory. Layla Marvin recorded a hat trick and Kayla Gardner posted two goals and two assists.

Gardner scored her first goal with 58 seconds to go in the first period. Lisa Marvin struck again with 16 seconds remaining to build a 4-0 lead.

“I definitely think we left our mark on the first period,” Layla Marvin said.

The Warriors defense then turned stifling in the second period, holding Alexandria without a shot on goal. Meanwhile, Warroad’s offense again landed another 1-2 combination. Layla Marvin scored on the power play at 9:40 followed by Gardner’s second goal of the game only 10 seconds later. At that point, Warroad had more goals (six) than Alexandria did shots (four).

Goaltender Shelby Amsley-Benzie stopped all eight shots she faced and picked up her 12th shutout this season.

“We got ran over by a train,” Loch said.

The formidable Warriors drew added motivation from their Section 8 title game victory over Crookston. Despite winning nine games against 1A opponents by a combined score of 75-5, Warroad needed a 3-2 overtime victory to reach the state tournament.

“That opened our eyes,” Layla Marvin said. “But it all worked out and we got here.”