Lourdes Beats Faribault in Showdown of Top Girls’ Hockey Teams
The third time was the charm to get in the regular season match-up between Faribault and Rochester Lourdes/Dover-Eyota in girls' hockey. The potential is high for a rematch on Valentine's Day in Owatonna for the Section 1A final. Lourdes will hold the upper hand as the top seed after their twice weather-delayed 6-1 win over the Falcons Friday afternoon at the Faribault Ice Arena.
Falcons' coach Alli Miller said a goal was to put on pressure in the offensive zone and get lots of shots on net. That proved to be easier said than done against the No. 8 rated Eagles. Faribault did out shoot Lourdes 9-7 in the first period but many of those were from long range, giving junior net minder Corrin Hanson plenty of time to make the save. Lourdes out shot Faribault 28-11 over the final two periods for a 35-20 game advantage.
The Eagles opened the scoring on a short-handed, breakaway goal by Sarah Dravis at 6:07 of the first period. Lourdes added an even-strength goal at 15:13 from Clara Billings and led 2-0 at first intermission.
Lourdes (13-8-1) made quick work of two power plays in the second period with Maggie Hanzel scoring each time with rising shots from the blue line for a 4-0 lead after the middle frame. She added her hat trick goal late in the third period.
The Falcons got on the board on a quick rush by Haley Lang who fired in a long range shot at 4:12 of the third period for her 15th goal of the season to make the score 4-1. Faribault worked the puck close to the Lourdes goal a short time later, but the Eagles denied Falcons' leading-scorer Olivia Williamson. Faribault didn't get too close to the Eagles' net the rest of the way.
Section seeds will be announced this weekend. First round games are Wednesday, February 6. Faribault (18-6) should have a first-round bye and host a game on Saturday, February 9. The Falcon boys have a makeup game on that day as well.