Willow Harens races up ice for the top-ranked Wildcats in their win over Hastings. LPH PHOTO BY JEFF ANDERSON

Defending champion Dodge County takes over top spot

Dodge County dethroned Warroad last February for their first state title, but the Warriors were voted on as the No. 1 team, to start this season because, well, they have been the best team perennially for the past five years.

But the Wildcats are showing they aren’t just a program that made a run, they are a program that is at the top to stay. The Wildcats improved to 5-0-0 on the young season after a pair of wins over Hastings and Minneapolis. They have now outscored opponents 33-3.

Maysie Koch and Daisy Harens each scored twice in their 7-0 win over Minneapolis, who enters this week’s rankings at No. 17. They outshot the Novas 45-6. Alexa VanStraaten had three assists and Zoe Heimer added a goal and an assist in the win.

Heimer had two goals and two assists in their 8-1 win over Hastings and Koch added two goals and three assists. Koch leads the team with 15 points with Heimer close by at 14.

Warroad slipped a spot in the rankings after a 4-3 loss to No. 2AA Holy Family. By no means ware the Warriors expected to win this game, and they performed admirably against one of the top AA teams in the state. Payton Rolli made 32 saves in the 4-3 loss and the team rebounded to beat No. 16 River Lakes 3-1, outshooting the Stars 52-19. Lydia Felling, Emmie Hardwick and Reagan Haley scored for the Warriors, who have gotten goals form eight different players so far this season.

While Dodge County and Warroad appear to be more 1A and 1B than 1-2, Breck may have something to say about that as they improved to 5-0-0 with wins over Gentry Academy (2-0), Visitation (10-1) and Lakeville South (4-1). They have outscored opponents 34-4 so far. Taylor Hall and Alexa Sherf lead the Mustangs with eight and seven goals, respectively. Blake remained at No. 4 and Albert Lea jumped two spots to No. 5.

The Tigers beat No. 6 Marshall 4-3 to leapfrog them in the rankings. They scored two late goals in the third to overcome a 3-2 deficit. Morgan Goskenson tied the game and then Sydney Kolker provided the game winner in an evenly fought battle where the Tigers led in shots 23-22.

Proctor/Hermantown jumped a spot to No. 7 over No. 5 Orono, who fell to No. 8. The Mirage got goals from Mya Gunderson, Sarah Stauber and Avery Milbridge. Ella Kaups assisted on two goals as they improved 3-2-0.

Mankato East and Westonka/Southwest Christian maintained their spots at No. 9 and 10.