WATERTOWN – The Aberdeen Cougars built a three-goal lead and the held off a Watertown rally to claim a 4-3 girls’ hockey victory Friday night.
“The girls played well tonight,” said Cougars coach Amy Munsterman-Wills. “I thought they came out hard, pressured the puck well, and did a great job moving it to the front of the net, which allowed us to capitalize on some opportunities.”
Calley Gage put the Cougars in front midway through the opening period before Rachel Siefken scored a minute later.
After the Lakers got on the board in the second period, Aberdeen added back-to-back goals from Leah Kranzler and Addyson Keller for a 4-1 advantage. Watertown sliced the margin to one by the end of the period, and neither team was able to score in the third.
“The game ended up a little closer than we would’ve liked,” Munsterman-Wills said, “but coming away with the win is big for us as we head toward the state tournament.”
The Cougars have their final regular-season home game on Sunday when they host Oahe at 9 a.m. at the Odde Ice Center.
Aberdeen Cougars 2 2 0 – 4
Watertown Lakers 0 3 0 – 3
First Period: 1, AC, Calley Gage (Olivia Sandvig, Hannah Lemmer), 7:08; 2, AC, Rachel Siefken (Riley Keller), 6:00.
Second Period: 3, W, Sheylin Stricherz (unassisted), 16:39; 4, AC, Leah Kranzler (Kaylee Dixon), :15.09; 5, AC, Addyson Keller (Kranzler), 3:56; 6, W, Emma Schleusner (uanassisted), 1:48; 7, W, Nylah Vannelli (unassisted), 1:03.
Third Period: no scoring.
Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 29; Watertown Lakers 27.Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Chloe Vikander (24 saves); Watertown Lakers Kira Reppe (25 saves).
