Austin was not about to take Winona lightly again, and the Packers prevailed because of it.

The AHS girls' hockey team got revenge for a Big Nine Conference loss at Winona earlier this season, scoring a 2-0 win at home Saturday night at Riverside Arena.

Eighth-grade goalie Amy Snyder made 18 saves for her third shutout of the season and Kristin Faber added to her team lead with the game-winning goal midway through the second period.

Snyder and sophomore netminder Justine Wiste have combined with the Packer defense for four shutouts this year.

"They just weren't letting anybody through with the good shots," Snyder said of the defense in front of her. "There wasn't as many shots, and it's easier to play teams that you've played before and you know."

Faber slipped a backhand rebound past Winona goalie Erin O'Brien at 9:58 of the second period to provide the Packers (11-8, 4-7) with the eventual game-winner.

Jenny Nemitz added an insurance goal with 28 seconds left in the game and got the game puck from the Austin coaches for her efforts on both ends of the ice. Nemitz also assisted on Faber's game-winning goal.

"We shouldn't have lost to them in the first place," Nemitz said of the Packers' trip to Winona. "The first time we thought it would be an easy game so we took them lightly. That shouldn't happen, but it does."

Austin successfully killed off four penalties and Snyder stopped Winona's best attempts to score, including a breakaway chance in the third period for the Winhawks (4-14, 2-10).

"I think we were ready more for them this time," said Austin coach Denny Bray. "We came out a little bit harder."

Austin plays Thursday at Mankato East at 7:30 p.m.

Summary:

Winona

0

0

0 -- 0

Austin

0

1

1 -- 2

First Period--none. Penalties--none.

Second Period--1, AUS, Kristin Faber (Jenny Nemitz), 9:58. Penalties--Faber, AUS (hooking) :48; Courtney Hughes, AUS (elbowing) 10:47.

Third Period--2, AUS, Jenny Nemitz (Hughes), 14:32. Penalties--Sara DeVries, AUS (roughing) 6:14; Annie Mahoney, WIN (holding) 9:19; Amanda Lubahn, WIN (checking) 10:07; Faber, AUS (checking) 10:07; Grace Heimsness, AUS (slashing) 13:21; Allison Eddy, WIN (interference) 14:23.

Shots on goal--Winona 6-5-7--18; Austin 7-15-17--39.

Power-play Opportunities--Winona 0 of 4; Austin 0 of 1.

Goalies--Winona, Erin O'Brien (32 shots-31 saves), Gretchen Strelow (6:14 of third period, 7-6); Austin, Amy Snyder (18-18).