Lakeville, Minn. -- Last winter Farmington finished with a middling 9-17 season which if you include open net goals, nine of the losses came by just a single goal.
But that was last year and if early results are any indication, the 2023-24 season could take on a totally different look.
After rolling over Visitation and Apple Valley by a combined score of 18-2, coach
Jon Holmes' squad found a different way to win Tuesday night, edging defending South Suburban Conference champion Lakeville South 4-3 in overtime at Hasse Arena in Lakeville.
The Cougars perhaps got the better of the play in the scoreless first period but it was the visiting Tigers who dented the scoreboard first, taking a 1-0 lead on
Amelia Goblirsch's (from
Paige Johnson) goal just 1:37 into the second period.
Norah Kratz (from
Lexi Giller) extended the lead to 2-0 midway through the second and the visitors held serve through the second intermission.
"This was an especially good win for us because we were very nervous early on," coach Holmes said. "Our confidence level was not as high as we would like."
South came out attacking the net in the third period, scoring less than two minutes into the final frame on the Power Play. Goblirsch answered (from Kratz) three minutes later and with 12 minutes remaining the Tigers were up 3-1.
The Cougars weren't done, however, cutting the lead to one with 11 minutes to go and then tying the count on yet another third period Power Play with Josie Grossman's goal coming with the 6-4 advantage with under a minute to play in regulation.
In the extra session, Farmington got the only three shots on goal with Kratz (from
Jenna Goblirsch) providing the game-winner, her second of the night, at 2:08.
"Some of our shakiness returned toward the end of regulation," Holmes said., "but we found a way to come back and get what we needed in overtime.
"We came out on the short end of the stick in a lot of one-goal games last year, so this was a very welcomed change."
Farmington goaltender
Addison Moudry picked up her second win in as many starts, finishing with 28 saves. "Moudry played solid. The three goals she allowed were a controversial kick in, a deflection off our own defender, and a four on six in the final minute. She looked good," Holmes said. The Tigers outshot the Cougars 34-28.
South, which had not allowed a goal in winning its first two games, dropped to 2-1 overall with the loss; 1-1 in South Suburban Conference play. Farmington remains unbeaten at 3-0; 2-0 in the South Suburban.
The Tigers going back into action on Thursday, November 30 with a conference road game versus Shakopee (1-3; 1-1).
