Warroad downs top-seeded Academy of Holy Angels in MSHSL girls hockey state tournament semifinals
ST. PAUL — The No. 4-seed Warroad Warriors (20-9) defeated the No. 1-seed Academy of Holy Angels Stars (22-4-3) 3-2 in the 2024 Class 1A MSHSL girls hockey state tournament semifinals at Xcel Energy Center.
The Warriors scored twice in the final minutes of the first and second period to keep momentum going, and they scored seconds after the Stars tied the game in the third period.
"I thought we had the advantage a lot," Warroad head coach David Marvin. "I thought we were in pretty good control of a close game. ... I thought we were playing well."
The Warriors, who had a player in the hospital last night and a goalie fighting a bloody nose all game, rallied to defeat an opponent who defeated them earlier in the season.
"We're sicker than a dog right now," Marvin said. "But it's playoff time, and they're putting it aside. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for these guys."
Warroad took a 1-0 lead in the final moments of the first period. Kaiya Sandy flicked a shot that ricocheted up in the air and past the sprawling Stars' goalie Zoe Rimstad.
The goal was the culmination of sustained Warrior pressure at the end of the period. Warroad took 19 of the final 20 shots in the first period.
The Angels pushed back in the second period. Isabella LaMere threw a puck toward the net and it deflected off a Warrior defender and into the net.
"The girls still battled," Academy of Holy Angels head roach Ryan LaMere said. "The girls still battled, and that's why we play sports. You want to always be on the winning side, but you learn a lot about yourself and your team. These girls had a heck of a game."
But once again the Warriors scored moments before the period ended. Freshman Jaylie French positioned herself in front of the net, and when Kaylee Kalbrener passed the puck right to her stick from behind the net she buried it, and Warroad took a 2-1 lead into the third period.
"We play close games," Marvin said. "We've played close games all year. We've got a tremendous goaltender, and we play hard in front of her. We block shots like no team I've ever had."
In the third period, the Stars tied it with a goal from the slot from junior Masyn Mullin.
The tie was short lived. Warroad sophomore Taylor Reese cleaned up a puck in front of the net for a 3-2 lead. It's Reese's second goal in the tournament—both game winners.
"It's awesome," Reese said. "I come here, being new and I have to step up and play a big role. I feel like our team has done a really good job."
The Warriors held on in the third period to take the win.
"The group has been resilient all year," Marvin said. "We're not perfect, but we got a chance to play for a championship tomorrow, and that doesn't happen every day.
The Warriors will play the No. 3-seed Dodge County Wildcats in the Class 1A state championship at 4 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center. Its the third straight title game appearance for the Warriors. They've won the previous two, and four in school history.
Stats from the game here.
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- Jack Butler | butler@scorebooklive.com | @Butler917
