Prep report: Warroad wins state championship rematch

Reese Heitzman of Proctor/Hermantown scores a goal — The puck can be seen airborne inside the net after Proctor/Hermantown senior forward Reese Heitzman (21) chipped it in for a power play goal with 3:35 remaining in the second period of the Mirage's game vs. Warroad on Saturday at the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center in Proctor. The goal gave the Mirage a 2-1 lead.

By Staff reports

November 12, 2022 10:56 PM

An early-season rematch of the 2022 Class A state girls hockey championship game went to the holders on Saturday, as Warroad's Kaiya Sandy scored an overtime winner to beat Proctor/Hermantown 3-2 at St. Luke's Sports and Event Center in Proctor.

The 2021 champion and 2022 runner-up Mirage took two leads on Saturday, first when Reese Heitzman gave her team the lead just 59 seconds into the game. Kate Johnson scored for Warroad less than two minutes later, but Heitzman struck again on a second-period power play to put Proctor/Hermantown in front again.

Kate Johnson scored her second of the game for the Warriors when she tied it up at 8:13 of the third period, eventually sending it to overtime.

Neelan McLeod racked up 45 saves for the Mirage, while Kate Stephens made 17 stops for Warroad.

Kate Johnson of Warroad scoring a goal — Warroad forward Kate Johnson (16) sends the puck toward an eventual goal during the first period of the Warriors' game vs Proctor/Hermantown on Saturday at the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center in Proctor. The goal, with 14:08 remaining in the first period, tied the game at 1.

Duluth Marshall 2, Breck 1 (OT)

Nina Thorson was the overtime hero for the Hilltoppers on Saturday at Mars Lakeview Arena.

Annie Bachand needed only 63 seconds to put Duluth Marshall on top in the first period, but the visiting Mustangs grabbed a late goal from Katie Theissen with 2:23 remaining to even it up.

Marshall (1-1) used an overtime power play to build up a 7-2 shot advantage in the extra session before getting the breakthrough.

Duluth 3, Roseville/Mahtomedi 2 (OT)

The Northern Stars made an exciting debut for head coach Ali Randall when Karyssa Clough scored an extra-attacker goal in the closing minutes to send the goal to overtime and Lydia Saxin bagged the overtime winner with a backhand in front.

Anoka 2, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 1 (OT)

Emily Litchke scored with just 39 seconds left in regulation to tie the game for the Lumberjacks, but the host Tornadoes got an overtime winner from Ella Hennes.

Araya Kiminski made 21 saves for the Lumberjacks.

Rock Ridge 8, Princeton 1

Natalie Bergman had a hat trick plus two assists as the Wolverines rolled to victory on the road. Mayme Scott pitched in two goals and two assists.

GIRLS SWIMMING

Section 7A meet

Grand Rapids rolled to a confident victory in the Section 7A meet on Saturday at Hibbing, amassing 419 points, more than 100 more than runners-up Hibbing.

Thunderhawks swimmers won all but three of the 12 events, including all three relays. Sophie Verke was a double winner, in the 100-yard butterfly (1:00.41, a pool and section record) and 100-yard backstroke (59.25). Hannah Rauzi took care of the 100 free (55.17) and 100 breaststroke (59.25). Verke and Rauzi had a hand in two winning relays apiece.

Geli Stenson of Hibbing set a pool record by winning the 200 free in 1:57.42, then won the 500 in 5:28.30.

In the Section 7AA meet, Duluth East was sixth of eight teams. Senior Shea Bradley was third in the 100 free in 55.15 and had a fifth in the 500 free (25.52).

VOLLEYBALL

Kasson-Mantorville 3, Grand Rapids 2

Grand Rapids finished the Class AAA volleyball season in fourth place for the second consecutive season after Kasson-Mantorville outlasted the Thunderhawks 25-18, 25-19, 26-28, 22-25, 15-11 in the third-place match at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday.

Kyra Giffen finished her career with a 21-kill performance, while Braya LaPlant and Kate Jamtgaard added nine apiece. LaPlant posted 41 assists, while Jamtgaard had nine block assists and a block solo. Defensively, five Thunderhawks players had at least 10 digs, led by Lindsey Racine's 35. LaPlant added 22 and Giffen 19.

The Thunderhawks finish the season 26-6.

Warroad players celebrate after a goal — Warroad forward Kate Johnson (16) receives a hug from teammate Talya Hendrickson (13) after scoring a goal for the Warriors with 14:08 remaining in the first period of the Warriors' game vs Proctor/Hermantown Saturday at the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center in Proctor. The goal tied the game at 1.

Reese Heitzman makes a play on a loose puck — Proctor/Hermantown senior forward Reese Heitzman (21) moves her stick toward a loose puck near Warroad's net moments before connecting on a power play goal with 3:35 remaining in the second period of the Mirage's game vs Warroad Saturday at the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center in Proctor. The goal was Heitzman's second of the game and gave the Mirage a 2-1 lead. Warroad would win the game 3-2 in overtime.

Proctor/Hermantown players celebrate after a goal — Members of the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage hug and celebrate after senior forward Reese Heitzman scored a power play goal with 3:35 remaining in the second period of their game vs Warroad Saturday at the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center in Proctor. The goal gave the Mirage a 2-1 lead. Warroad would win the game 3-2 in overtime.

By Staff reports

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.