Packers stay aggressive, but can’t finish the job in loss to South Central
Published 9:39 pm Thursday, January 16, 2025
Austin’s Sadie Coddington leads South Central’s Zoey Gibson with the puck during the second period Thursday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Allie Davidson reaches for the puck during the second period against South Central Thursday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Sawyer Loucks carries the puck through the South Central zone during the second period Thursday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Lily Haedt makes a stop during the first period against South Central Thursday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Avery Anderson battles in the corner during the first period against South Central Thursday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Alexcia Austin retrieves the puck early in the first period against South Central Thursday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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The Austin girls hockey team is growing up a little more with each game and they nearly pulled off a shocker before falling to
South Central 4-3 in Riverside Arena Thursday.
After trailing 4-1 early in the third period, freshman Sadie Coddington and eighth grader Sawyer Louks each scored in the final eight minutes of the game to bring the Packers within 4-3, but Austin came up empty when it had a one-skater advantage for the last 2:30 of the game.
The Packers (2-15-1 overall) had several good shots, including a rebound opportunity with five seconds left, but they weren’t able to force OT.
“We’ve been working on being aggressive in practice and it showed tonight,” Austin head coach Denny Bray said. “We went up against a very good goalie tonight and we told the girls that we had to go after rebounds against her. At the end we came close to tying it up.”
SC, which features players from Waseca and Faribault, was led by sophomore goalie Namay Draheim, who had 41 saves.
Austin freshman Lily Haedt had 43 saves in net as she was one of the many young Packers who have improved this season.
“I think the younger girls are really stepping up and doing a good job,” said Austin senior captain Allie Davidson. “They’ve come so far from where they were at the beginning of the season, and I’m so proud of them as a senior. They’ve gotten more comfortable with us. This was a really good game for us, even though we didn’t win.”
SC (8-11-1 overall) scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the game, but Austin held them scoreless for the next period and a half as the Packers hung around.
With the aggression they are starting to show, Bray sees a lot of potential with his young squad.
“When I look at all of the rosters, I think we’re the youngest team in the state,” Bray said. “These young players are really maturing and the future looks bright. Maybe not next year, or the year after, but it’s coming.”
SCORING SUMMARY
SC 2 0 2 – 4
Austin 1 0 2 – 3
First period
(SC) Madalyn Benson (Emma Huelsnitz) 3:50
(SC) Benson 6:57
(A) Alyssa Vlasaty (Ariel Weideman, Kate Fox) 7:45
Second period
No scoring
Third period
(SC) Emma Huelsnitz (Benson) 7:21
(SC) Stevie Johnston (Allison Drager, Savannah Conway) 7:21
(A) Sadie Coddington (Jade Bastyr) 9:55
(A) Sawyer Looks (Jamey Bastyr, Avery Anderson) 14:33
