Girls hockey playoffs: Eagles upset Park, advance to section final against top-seeded Eagan
The Apple Valley girls hockey team is one game away from the Class AA state hockey tournament after defeating Park 3-2 on Saturday.
The Eagles will play Eagan, who defeated Hastings 4-3 in the semifinals, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday Night in Inver Grove Heights at Veteran’s Memorial Community Center.
As the No. 3 seed, Apple Valley was the underdog against No. 2 Park of Cottage Grove. Freshman Maddie Schroeder got Apple Valley on the board 1:47 minutes into the game on a feed from junior Emily Everson. Junior Marie Breckner walked a defenseman on a one-on-one to put one over the goalie’s shoulder with assists to junior linemate Jordyn Haupert and defenseman MacKenzie Ess. Breckner returned the favor assisting on Jordyn Haupert’s goal in front of the net two minutes later giving the Eagles a 3-0 lead after the first period.
In the second, Park cut the lead to one leading to a heated third period, but Eagle goalie Hailey Sampson wouldn’t budge turning away all eleven shots. She stopped 23 of Park’s 25 total shots to secure the 3-2 win and spot in the Section 3AA final.
The Eagles are 0-2 against Eagan this season with losses of 3-1 and 4-1.
