Willmar to play in championship
WILLMAR -- The Willmar girls hockey team tripled its season scoring output and picked up its first win of the season by beating Mankato East/Loyola 2-0 in the first round of the Cardinal Classic Friday.
The Cardinals (1-2) had been outscored 15-1 in their first two contests. Willmar will face Morris/Benson Area, which beat Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato 12-1 in the tournament's first game, at 8 p.m. today. The third-place game is at 6 p.m.
The Cardinals poured the shots on the Mankato East goal and finally broke through at the 13:32 mark of the first period. Ali Sing scored from the left wing by the low circle to give Willmar a 1-0 lead.
The advantage doubled in the second period on Jennie Mattison goal at the 4:26 mark. By the second intermission, the Cardinals had outshot Mankato East 23-11.
Willmar's production slowed down in the final 17 minutes with only four shots on goal.
Baylie Young recorded 17 saves to post her first shutout of the season.
Willmar 2, Mankato East/Loyola 0
Mankato East/Loyola 0 0 0 -- 0
Willmar 1 1 0 -- 2
FIRST PERIOD - Wil: Ali Sing (Brittney Serbus) 13:32
SECOND PERIOD - Wil: Jennie Mattison (Samantha Thompson) 4:26
THIRD PERIOD - no scoring
GOALIE SAVES - Mankato East/Loyola: Melany Anderson 10-11-4-25 ... Willmar: Baylie Young 7-4-6-17
