Farmington

eliminates

Eagles, 7-2

By ANDY ROGERS

Journal Sports Editor

ST. PETER -- The New Ulm High Eagles took second in the Section 1A tournament Thursday night.

The Eagles lost to the Farmington Tigers 7-2 in the finals, but the game was closer than the score would indicate, according to Eagles coach Todd Nelson.

"(The first period) showed what we're capable of," Nelson said. "It definitely put others on alert of what we can do. In the second and third we just didn't forecheck like we were supposed to and we didn't capitalize on our opportunities. We stopped doing that later in the game. "

New Ulm High goalie Jenny Neveln made 19 saves in the losing effort. The shots were almost even; Farmington had 26 shots on goal to New Ulm High's 23.

The Eagles led 2-1 after the first period, but the Eagles couldn't find the back of the net the rest of the game.

The Eagles started strong in the first period. After 12 shots on the Tigers' goal, Danelle Bode took a pass from Nikki Williams for the first goal of the game.

A minute later, during a power play in New Ulm High's favor, Kallie Flor made a shorthand shot to even the score.

The Eagle eventually took advantage of the power play, and regained the lead with 1.6 seconds left. Liz Bode got the Eagles' last goal of the game with Danelle Bode assisting.

"The big thing was that we need to keep believing that we could play with this team," Nelson said. "I think that kind of got lost after they came down and scored so easily."

The rest of the scoring was all Farmington. In the second period Farmington's Jessye Stock tied the game with Flor getting the assist.

With 3:20 remaining in the period, the Eagles took a blow when senior forward Nikki Williams severely hurt her shoulder. The Tigers have a deep team with 20 skaters to New Ulm High's 16, so numbers were important.

"(Losing Williams) was huge loss," Nelson said. "We only have two lines to begin with and she's one of our star players. You can't go against a team that has three-plus lines when you're already hurting."

Farmington took the lead soon after the injury on a fast break and some crafty passing by Stock and Flor who got the puck to Amy Gilbertson for the goal.

The third period was all Farmington again. For the Eagles, it was the ninth period since Monday.

"There was not very much time for rest this week," Nelson said. "We certainly had a long week of hockey."

Farmington's Elizabeth Genzler had two goals assisted by Stefanie Schmitz within 45 seconds of each other early in the third. Flor continued to dominate, scoring next with Gilbertson assisting. Megan Juenke and Gilbertson also scored before the last buzzer.

In the history of girls hockey at New Ulm High, the final was two games further than the Eagles have gone before.

"Our girls hockey program has made huge steps every year, and that give us something to look forward to," Nelson said.