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.
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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
