Photo by Samantha Davis. Marshall’s Maddie Girard will reclaim the pack and preempt the first-period attack with New Ulm on Saturday afternoon at Marshall’s Red Baron Arena. Below: The Marshall Girls Hockey Team celebrates after they advance to the Section 3A Championship after beating New Ulm 2-1 pm on Saturday. Junior Abbey Foley had both goals for the Tigers.
MARSHALL – The top-seeded Marshall Girls hockey team is being championship-bound after beating fourth-placed New Ulm 2-1 in the Section 3A semi-final at Red Baron Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers were able to withstand the late Eagles rally through collective team efforts at both ends of the link.
“We are the closest team I’ve ever seen and we all love each other very much.” Marshall Jr. Abbey Foley said. “From the oldest girl on the team to the youngest seventh grade on the team. We’re all very close. I think it’s pushing us so far throughout the season and bringing us so close. .”
After the first period of scoreless, Foley recorded a pair of key goals at the opening hours of the second period and built the lead. New Ulm was heated up in the third term, bringing the game inside the goal, but the Tigers’ defense united and solidified the victory.
“This really feels good.” Foley spoke about moving to the championship. “But we all know that we can’t quit our job right now. We have to keep pushing, and that won’t be easy at all from here.”
Marshall scored 36 shots in New Ulm’s goal attempt to 12. Seven of these came in the third season.
Fourteen penalties were evaluated throughout the game, half of which came in the second season. The Tigers had 6 out of 8 of the Eagles, all minor.
After saying goodbye to the semifinals with Marshall’s top seeded for the second year in a row, the Tigers faced the Eagles after beating fifth-placed Worthington 4-0 in the quarterfinals.
Marshall and New Ulm met twice during the regular season, and the Tigers both brought victory.
Marshall beat New Ulm 8-1 on December 5th and shut out 4-0 on January 21st.
The first period soon showed a competitive afternoon, with both teams scoreless for the first 17 minutes.
New Ulm goalkeeper Ava Brennan is a key player for the Eagles, having a 93.6% save percentage from Saturday.
Brennan became creative with Marshall with a shot take, making four saves in the first two minutes of the game. She continued to save all 17 shots of Marshall in goal attempts during the first period.
“She (Brennan) is standing on her head. She has always been a great goalkeeper.” Marshall assistant coach Chris Foley said. “She’s a senior now, but she’s been fine for many years.”
Brennan finished the day with a 94% save rate, allowing two of his 36.
The intensity increased in the second term, with both teams fighting to get on the board. The Tigers’ efforts at both ends discovered some sparks and mostly gained control of the pack.
Foley led the Marshall two goals in the first minutes of the second period, eventually saving the Tigers’ game.
“I knew I had to do that for my seniors. For more games for them.” Foley said. “And my line buddies do so much for me… I know I need to return it for them too.
Foley’s first goal was to wrap around the back of the goal and hit the puck behind the net in the crease, making it two minutes. Ava Kolander and Brooklyn Mauch both supported the play.
Three minutes later, Mauch received the pack from Mia Wichmann. Mia Wichmann once again found Foley in goalkeeper territory to score another goal.
“We told them about being in front of that goalkeeper and getting into her face. Both of these goals were right for the gateway she was just ready for, the rebound goal. ” Director Foley said. “I think if they started doing that, we started to get more opportunities.”
New Ulm raised the offensive dial midway through the second period and hit several consecutive shots. However, Marshall’s goalkeeper Lily Stelter saved the attempt and did not allow the Puck to get over her.
Stelter finished with a 92% save rate and allowed one of the 12.
The Eagles began with a rally late in the third term, bringing the game within one.
Tristyn Wolner got a pack of defense and went up the unassisted link to place the pack behind the net for the final three minutes.
Newulm continued to control his attacks for several minutes, and had a handful of good looks until the end.
“I think we were a little on the heels. We weren’t really playing the game. I don’t think we were as aggressive as needed.” Director Foley said. “It almost felt in our brains, we weren’t trying to give up the goal rather than going in, and when we play like that, we were in the best state there is no.”
At the final minute of the game, Newulm took out the goalkeeper and put an extra body on the attack.
However, Marshall was able to keep the Fighting Eagles in place and continue the season to secure a victory.
Marshall was able to avoid the Eagles’ defense and spent most of the first term in New Ulm Territories. The Tigers had a string of shots in the final minutes, but the puck was deflected by Brennan or hit the top bar in goal.
The Eagles had some breakaways, but Marshall’s defensive line quickly kept the puck back into the attack.
Newulm was limited to one shot at first goal.
Marshall (21-3-2) will be redirected to the Section 3A Championship held at Lund Arena at Gustavus Adolphus College on February 11 at 7:30pm
The Tigers will play their second Leburn (18-6-2) for the second consecutive year of the championship. The Cardinals defeated Marshall 4-0 in a title match last season.
Luverne advanced by beating No. 3 seed Fairmont 6-1 on Saturday night.
“We have to work the whole game and we can’t stop it.” Foley said about moving forward. “No matter what it goes, it’s going to be difficult.”
Marshall and Levern met twice in the regular season, with each team winning. The Tigers won their first matchup at home 5-1 on December 3rd and fell 5-2 on the ice on January 30th.
Section champions win spots in state tournaments.
“We think the same as always: the next game.” Director Foley said. “We believe we are Minnesota’s hardest-working team all year round. If we maintain that mentality and get in there, we don’t really care who will play. Whichever way But we know it’s better to fight that way.”
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