Lakeville, Minn. -- In the Section 1AA semifinal matchup at Hasse Arena in Lakeville on Saturday night, the Farmington Tigers faced off against the Lakeville South Cougars.
The Tigers, seeded third in the tournament, squared off against the two seeded Cougars. Despite a valiant effort, Farmington fell short, ultimately losing 3-0. The loss concludes the Tigers' 2023-24 campaign with a commendable 17-9-1 record. Notably, the team bids farewell to seniors
Katie Klotz,
Shelby Mahowald, and
Morgan Mitchell, who played pivotal roles in the squad's success. The trio leaves behind a legacy of leadership and teamwork. Looking ahead, Farmington boasts a promising roster comprised primarily of sophomores and below.
Throughout the contest, Farmington struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, going 0 for 3 on power plays. Conversely, Lakeville South found success on the man advantage, converting 2 of their 6 power-play opportunities. Despite an even start in the shot department, with both teams recording 4 shots in the first period, Lakeville South surged ahead in the latter frames. The Cougars outshot the Tigers 12-11 in the second period and dominated the third period, registering 19 shots to Farmington's 11.
The scoring drought persisted through the first two periods, with neither team able to break the deadlock. However, Lakeville South seized control in the final frame. At 3:37 into the third period, Lilly Hunst of Lakeville South broke the deadlock with a power-play goal, assisted by Nicole McKinney and Ella Fowler. The Cougars extended their lead at 10:53 with another power-play goal, this time from Sophia Kuhns, with assists credited to Brynn O'Neill and Nicole McKinney. With Farmington pressing to mount a comeback, Lakeville South sealed the victory at 16:05 with an empty-net goal from Brynn O'Neill, assisted by Claire Bronson.
Despite a disappointing end to their season, the Farmington Tigers showcased resilience and determination throughout the game. While the loss stings, the team can take pride in their accomplishments and look forward to building upon their success in the seasons to come.
For a full box score, click HERE.
