MITCHELL – The Aberdeen Cougars passed a major road test to cap a busy weekend of girls’ hockey on Sunday. The Cougars received a late goal in a 3-2 league victory over the Mitchell Marlins.

After building a 2-0 lead on goals by Kailyn Poppen and Reece Ermer, the Marlins battled back with back-to-back goals to tie the game. The score remained tied until Raniesa Mattke found the back of the net with the game-winner with 2:20 remaining.

The win avenged a pair of setbacks to Mitchell last season in a pair of physical contests, including one in the semifinals of the state tournament.

“It was a physical game,” said Cougars coach Rob Weinmeister of last year’s post-season encounter, “especially for our girls in front of the net.”

Sunday’s contest was another battle.

“It was a game that didn’t get a good flow as there were numerous penalties,” Weinmeister said. “I was proud of how we maintained our composure and we worked together as a team to overcome the adversity.”

The Cougars improved to 17-3 on the season (11-1 in league action) and recorded a key victory to cap off a busy weekend of action.

“I think we took a big step forward on the mental toughness side of things,” Weinmeister said.

The same two teams will face each other again at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Odde Ice Center in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen Cougars 1 1 1 – 3

Mitchell Marlins 0 1 1 – 2

First Period: 1, AC, Kailyn Poppen (Lauren Scheel), 1:05.

Second Period: 2, AC, Reece Ermer (Ema Rehder, Madeline Sandvig), 11:03; 3, MM, Brynlee Sabers, 7:08.

Third Period: 4, MM, Makenna Tronnes (Sabers), 12:05; 5, AC, Raniesa Mattke, 2:20.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 29; Mitchell Marlins 13.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Chloe Vikander (11 saves); Mitchell Marlins, Sadie Kludt (26 saves).