Payton Rolli, Warroad
The Star
Payton Rolli, Warroad
Lindsey Lorensen scored the game-winner, but Rolli's 61 saves will become part of Warrior girls' hockey lore. Bear in mind, these were not 62 knuckleballs from the point or dump-ins that happened to go on not. The bulk of Orono's shots came from high-percentage areas, and Rolli made more than her fair share of point-blank saves on Orono's group of ultra-talented forwards.
The Stalwart
Viv Anderson, Orono
Anderson's performance should not be ignored, although her counterpart Rolli's game would have overshadowed '96 World Cup of Hockey Mike Richter. Anderson stopped 38 of 40 shots on Friday and gave Orono every chance to win. Can't ask for much more from your netminder.
The Savior
Lindsey Lorenson, Warroad
The freshman forward scored the biggest goal of her life in the third overtime of today's game. Not only did Lorenson score, she recorded a SportsCenter-worthy goal, making a beautiful move around a defender and going top-shelf on Orono's Anderson. If Lorenson's play is any indication (yes, it is), the future is bright in Hockeytown, U.S.A.
Lindsey Lorensen celebrates after scoring in triple-overtime for Warroad on Friday.
Dodge County celebrates one of its four goals in Friday's semifinal win over Holy Angels.
The Star
Nora Carstensen, Dodge County
A goal and an assist on Friday pushed Carstensen into the 200-point club and also gave the senior forward seven goals and nine points through five Class A State Tournament games dating back to last season's runner-up finish.
The Stalwart
Taylor Lesnar, Holy Angels
The Stars' leading scorer coming into the game managed an assist in Thursday's quarterfinal win over Proctor/Hermantown, and scored the lone goal of Friday's loss. In every game this season, the senior forward showed up and produced for the Stars. With one game remaining in her Holy Angels career, Lesnar has 64 goals and 140 career points.
The Savior
Ida Huber, Dodge County
Holy Angels only managed four shots on goal in the first period, but by the end of the contest, the Stars had put 21 shots on Huber, including several quality chances. Yet again, Huber was unfazed, stopping 20 of 21 to earn the Wildcats a repeat shot at Warroad.
Taylor Lesnar, Holy Angels
Jaycee Chatleain, Hill-Murray
The Star
Emily Pohl, Hill-Murray
Yes, again.
Pohl scored two stunning goals and added a pair of assists to bring her state tournament totals to five goals and eight points. The sophomore has factored into eight of the 10 goals the Pioneers have scored so far, and she's one point away from 75 for the season (41 goals, 33 assists).
The Stalwart,
Gianna Marchese, Rosemount
The sophomore had her nine-game winning streak snapped tonight, but it wasn't for lack of spectacular saves and awe-inspiring acrobatics. Marchese finished the game with 43 saves on 48 shots, her second performance against the Pioneers this season with 40-plus stops. Marchese made 45 saves in a 6-0 loss in December.
The Savior
Jaycee Chatleain, Hill-Murray
Pohl's scoring has been wonderful for the Pioneers, but it's a bonus when other players can scare opposing teams. Chatleain hadn't had a multi-goal game since Dec. 10, when the Pioneers and Irish met for the first time. Chatleain's goals both came in the third period, and were instrumental in finally putting away the Irish.
Zoe Juncker, Rosemount
The Star
Edina's structure
As genuine as a compliment can feel coming from a screen, this Edina team is a machine. Every gear, every level, and every pulley knows its place and when to perform its designated action. The Hornets are ruthlessly efficient in both body and puck movement. There is no 40-point scorer. Edina doesn't need one to be dominant.
The Stalwart
Kayla Swartout, Holy Family
Swartout has been considered one of the top goaltenders in her age group for the last couple of years, playing in the USA Hockey National Select 15 Camps and the National Select 16/17 camp this past summer. Swartout showed why she's worthy of lofty praise again on Friday night, stopping 26 of 27 shots in the dogfight with the Hornets.
The Savior
Reese McConnell, Edina
One half of the fabled Edina tandem that won the Hornets a state title last year, McConnell was called upon to stop 12 shots on Friday, less than half of Holy Family's Swartout. But it was McConnell's point-blank, sprawling save on Holy Family's Josie Linn with mere seconds remaining that locks her in as this game's Savior. Unreal.
Kaylee Idrogo-Lam, Edina