21 May 2014

Girls Lacrosse: Tigers down No. 10 East Ridge

Rachael Welzin netted the tying and winning goals (photo by Jim Lindquist)
No. 5 Farmington (10-1) faced a big test Tuesday night and the Tigers passed with flying colors, edging No. 10 East Ridge  (10-2) 8-7 in overtime at Tiger Stadium.

"What an exhilarating game," Farmington coach Dan Pickens said. "I will give it to them (East Ridge). They are a very good team and they play a lot like us.

"The game was never more than two goals apart; it was a close one...We knew we needed this one going into the section seeding. We were nervous but knew we had to get over the nerves and play our game."

The teams were tied 4-4 at intermission and 6-6 at the end of regulation.

In the first extra three-minute session the Raptors scored to take a one-goal lead but Rachael Welzin responded with the tying score. Another Welzin goal, her third of the night, inside a minute to play in the second OT gave her team back the lead and a late turnover by East Ridge sealed the deal..

No. 3 Shaye Jenrich (pictured above with Kamryn Corraro) and Kylee Glen led a strong defensive effort (file photo by Jim Lindquist)
"We talk about big players playing big in big games," Pickens said. "That is what happened tonight with our top four scorers getting all of the goals."

Welzin and leading scorer Shelby Klotz each scored a trio of goals and Becky Genzler and Ashley Steffes added one apiece in the Tigers ninth straight win.

Amanda Davenport assisted on two scores and Welzin, Steffes and Genzler each added an assist.

Pickens said the defense also had an outstanding night with Shaye Jenrich and Kylee Glenn standing out, especially the second half.

Senior goaltender Maddie Kohlbeck, who leads the state in save percentage with a .692 mark, also had a big night for the Tigers, stopping 18 of 25 shots sent her way.

"We showed that we can come to play in the big games," Pickens said. "I am looking forward to the remainder of the season and moving into playoffs."

The Tigers entertain section rival Rochester John Marshall Thursday night and then try to warp up the first-ever Missota Conference championship Friday at Shakopee. Section 1 post-season play begins next Monday.

Maddie Kohlbeck 18 saves (photo by Jim Lindquist)