Girls hockey: Willmar doubles up Mankato West 6-3
MANKATO — A quick start aided Willmar Friday as the Cardinals netted four goals in the first period en route to doubling up Section 2A rival Mankato West 6-3 in a non-conference game.
The Scarlets (3-9-1) struck first, getting an even-strength goal 2:50 into the game, but Willmar (8-5) then erupted for four goals in a span of 6½ minutes.
“We executed early and got a lot more shots on net,” said Willmar coach JaColby Anderson. “That was our game plan. The girls were at the right spot at the right time.”
Brooke Mayer lit the lamp at the 5:14 mark and goals from Lauren Sing, Shelby Schneider and Brooke Oveson soon followed for the Cardinals, who won for the third straight time after losing three straight to fall to .500.
Schneider’s goal came on a power play and sophomore forward scored on another power play late in the second period. Oveson’s tally was the first varsity goal for the eighth-grade defenseman.
Alex Sobieck added insurance early in the third period for Willmar, which outshot Mankato West 43-36. Cardinals’ netminder Madison Sandberg made 10 saves in each of the first two periods before coming up with another 13 in the final period.
Willmar will look to stretch its winning streak today when it takes on unbeaten Mankato East (10-0) at noon back at All Seasons Arena. The Cougars are also in Section 2A and are ranked No. 7 in the latest Let’s Play Hockey state poll.
Willmar 6, Mankato West 3
Willmar (8-5) 4 1 1 — 6
Mankato West (3-9-1) 2 0 1 — 3
FIRST PERIOD – MW: Julia Snelson (Macenzie Hays) 2:50 … Wil: Brooke Mayer (Shelby Schneider, Samantha Block) 5:14 … Wil: Lauren Sing (Mayer, Schneider) 8:55 … Wil: Schneider (unassisted) 10:43, pp … Wil: Brooke Oveson (unassisted) 11:43 … MW: Courtney Bloemke (unassisted) 16:20, pp
SECOND PERIOD – Wil: Schneider (Mayer, Block) 14:28, pp
THIRD PERIOD – Wil: Alex Sobieck (Kierra Miller) 2:03 … MW: Hanna Rehome (Justine Scheller, Callie Looft) 7:31
GOALIE SAVES – Willmar: Madison Sandberg 10-10-13-33 … Mankato West: Maggie Cusey 17-15-5-37
