SIOUX FALLS – Despite being outshot, the Aberdeen Cougars used a balanced attack and solid goaltending to hand Sioux Falls West its first league loss on the season with a 3-2 boys’ hockey victory on Sunday afternoon.

“We had a solid effort from all our lines, and Colton Townsend played outstanding in net,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous.

Derek Holland gave the Cougars the lead in the closing minutes of the first period, and then added another goal in the second period. Trayke Roehrich pushed the margin to 3-0 later in the period before West began a comeback.

The hosts scored with just over a minute left in the second, and added another goal in the third, but was unable to get the equalizer as Townsend stopped 34 shots in goal for Aberdeen.

The Cougars were outshot 36-19, but still managed to take down one of the state’s elite teams.

“I feel like we’ve been playing good hockey, but just haven’t been able to find the back of the net,” Backous said. “It was nice to see the team get rewarded with a win against a team near the top of our league.”

Aberdeen is now 5-5 in league games this season.

The Cougars, now have three non-league games this weekend, playing in the Dickinson Holiday Tournament Friday through Sunday.

Aberdeen Cougars 1 2 0 – 3

Sioux Falls West 0 1 1 – 2

First Period: 1, AC, Derek Holland (Briggs Medill, Aiden Posthumus), 1:38.

Second Period: 2, AC, Holland (Jack Podoll, Max Podoll), 12:30; 3, AC, Trayke Roehrich (Devon Fischbach), 2:48; 4, SFW, Jackson Breuer (Beckett Halde), 1:01.

Third Period: 5, SFW, Halde (Breuer, Alexander Carlson), 9:04.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Central 19; Sioux Falls West 36.

Goalies: Aberdeen Central, Colton Townsend (34 saves); Sioux Falls West, Easton Mescher (16 saves).