LITCHFIELD -- Through seven seasons of competition Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato hadn't managed a win against Willmar in girls hockey.
The Dragons took care of that debit Tuesday night in the season opener for both squads.
Scoring a late goal in the third period, LDC shaded the Cardinals 3-2 at the Litchfield Civic Center.
The Dragons were 0-15-1 against their nearby rivals, including two playoff losses and a 1-1 tie on Jan. 23, 2001.
The Dragons never trailed. Annika Danielson in goal was sure handed. Both goals she allowed were by senior Cardinals' forward Makenzie Anderson.
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Her first goal, tying the score 1-1, started in the Willmar defensive zone. Krista Hanson carried across center ice and slipped a pass to Ashley Welter on the left wing. She went in deep and dropped the puck on Anderson's stick. A snap shot went off Danielson's glove.
After LDC went up 2-1 in the second period, Anderson scored in the third period on an assist from Tori Constans.
"Give a lot of credit to the their goalie (Danielson)," said Cardinals' head coach Ross Dahl, starting his eighth season as the only head coach Willmar has had. "She did a nice job. We had a solid effort but we just didn't have enough."
Chelsey Bielhartz, Willmar's second leading returning scorer, missed the opener due to illness.
Complete statistics were not available at press time.
Willmar will play its home opener on Thursday when they meet Fergus Falls, the newest member of the Central Lakes Conference. Game time is 7:30 p.m. School and adult punch passes will be accepted all season.
LDC 3, Willmar 2
Willmar (0-1) 1 0 1 -- 2
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Litchfield/DC (1-0) 1 1 1 -- 3
FIRST PERIOD - LDC: .... Wil: Mackenzie Anderson (Ashley Welter, Krista Hanson).
SECOND PERIOD - LDC:
THIRD PERIOD - Wil: Anderson (Tori Constans)
Goalie saves - Willmar: Jessica Lohrman xx; Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato: Annika Danielson xx, xx
NEXT -- Willmar: Thursday, home vs. Fergus Falls, 7:30 p.m.
