12-and-under hockey girls take second in tourney

Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 25, 2003

RED WING &045; The competition was tough, but the Albert Lea 12-and-under girls’ hockey team was up to the challenge while placing second in the Red Wing Invitational.

The locals opened with a 5-4 loss to Shakopee, with Albert Lea’s goals by Katie Nelson, Amy Gackstetter, Jenna Christensen and Katie Nelson, with assists by Christensen, Lauren Draayer, Jacqui Jepson and Ashton Larson. Kelli Nelson had 13 saves in goal.

The second game also featured a strong metro-area opponent, Chisago Lakes, and Albert Lea won 3-1. Christensen, Nelson and Sophie Jepson scored on assists from Nelson and Christensen. Molly Yokiel stopped 17 shots on goal.

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Albert Lea qualified for the finals, against Kasson, on a point system. It was an exciting game, with neither team able to score despite several breakaways and solid scoring opportunities. Kasson finally scored with 0.3 seconds left in overtime. Yokiel made 15 saves.

Playing strong on defense for Albert Lea were Jepson, Larson and Haley Habana.

In District 4 play, the locals defeated Rochester for the second time this season by a 4-2 score. Nelson, Christensen and Gackstetter scored. Christensen, Brittany Osmundson and Gackstetter had assists. Also playing well offensively were Nicole Wilson, Adison Wangen and Amanda Hanson. Morgan Walton and Erin Shahan played strong defense. Yokiel registered 10 saves.

The team improved its record to 11-2 in the district and 20-4-1 for the season.