Gianna Marchese stopped 33 shots and thwarted Centennial/SLP’s opporunities to secure a 3-2 win for the Irish. LPH PHOTO BY JEFF ANDERSON

Rosemount upsets Centennial/Spring Lake Park

No. 7 seed Rosemount pulled a mild upset over No. 2 seed Centennial/Spring Lake Park with a 3-2 win in the first state quarterfinal game of the Class AA Tournament.

Analee Holzer scored twice, including the game-winner, and Gianna Marchese was outstanding in goal as the Irish advanced to Friday’s state semifinals where they will play the winner of Andover and Hill-Murray.

Ms. Hockey Finalist Sophie Stramel opened the scoring when she banged home a rebound off her own shot for her 29^th goal of the season for a 1-0 lead.

Holzer got her first on a power play at the 9:20 mark of the third period for a 2-0 lead with just over six minutes to play. It was Holzer’s 19^th of the season.

But Centennial/SLP’s Grace Laager scored on a power play just over a minute later on a nice individual effort, finally solving Marchese who had been lights out all game by stifling several close chances by the Cougars.

But Holzer answered again for the Irish when she skated down the left wing of the Cougar zone and fired a shot that deflected off a stick and found the back of the net for a 3-1 lead.

The Cougars mounted more pressure by pulling their goalie, Kaia Weiland, and Laager added a goal with 38 seconds left on a one-timer, but time ran short as Rosemount held off a late surge by the Cougars to win 3-2 and advance in the tourney.

Laager’s goals gave her 24 on the season.

Rosemount’s Marchese stopped 22 shots to earn the win. Cougar netminder Weiland stopped 20 shots.