Breck players, including forward Carly Beniek (9), center, celebrated with their 1A trophy after defeating Warroad 6-1 Saturday night. Photo: Aaron Lavinsky * aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com
A rematch from last year’s Class 1A championship game netted the same result for Breck: a state title.
No. 2-seeded Breck, on the strength of eighth-grade goaltender Uma Corniea’s 41 saves and a four-goal outburst in the third period, won its third state title and second in a row with a 6-1 victory over top-seeded Warroad on Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.
“They’re both such an honor,” junior forward Olivia Mobley said. “The feeling is the same.”
The Mustangs (22-8-0) handed the Warriors (28-1-1) their only loss. Breck outscored opponents 19-2 in the tournament. The Warriors came into the title game having allowed just 20 goals this season. Six goals was a season high — by three goals.
Breck took early 1-0 leads in each state tournament game and did the same on Saturday, when Carly Beniek scored with four minutes left in the first period.
“The team has consistently brought a really strong effort to start the game,” Persian said before the game. “I would expect nothing different.”
Breck goaltender Uma Corniea (41) blocked a Warroad shot in the second period. Photo: Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com
A rematch from last year’s Class 1A championship game netted the same result for Breck. The Mustangs are state champions once again.
No. 2-seeded Breck won its third state title and second in a row with a 6-1 victory over top-seeded Warroad Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.
“It’s one of those things where the Xs and Os are over,” Breck co-head coach Steve Persian said. “It’s about execution.”
The Mustangs handed the Warriors (28-1-1) their only loss of the season. Breck outscored opponents 19-1 in the tournament.
The Warriors came into the title game having allowed just 20 goals this season and only allowed three in a game once before.
Breck took early 1-0 leads in each state tournament game, including on Saturday when Carly Beniek scored with four minutes left in the first period.
“The team has consistently brought a really strong effort to start the game,” Persian said before Saturday’s game. “I would expect nothing different.”
That momentum only lasted about 10 seconds for the Mustangs. Warroad answered 1:41 later on the power play to tie the game with Marlie Johnston’s fourth goal of the season.
It was a bit of the same in the second period. Breck took a 2-1 lead at the 4:09 mark when eighth-grader Elly Klepinger’s point shot deflected high off defenders in front for her third goal of the season.