Haleigh Zwart 2 goals in 3rd straight win
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Haleigh Zwart scored two second period goals as Farmington cruised over Northfield, 5-2, Friday evening at Schmitz-Maki Arena.
Playing in their second game in as many nights, the Tigers (7-10-0, 3-3-0) outshot the Raiders 37-25.
“It was really nice to see the girls get some payoff for their persistent work in practice,” head coach Jon Holmes said. “We had lots of chances to score and I am sure even the girls would tell you they left a few goals out there.”
Northfield got on the board first at 4:25 of the opening period. Chloe Batta would tie the score at 7:05 with help from Betsy Anderson and Michaela Tonsager. Haley Doll would score to put the Tigers in front at 10:27. Alexis Smrekar and Molly Friedlund earned assists on Doll’s team-leading sixth goal.
Zwart would score her first goal of the game, shorthanded and unassisted, at 2:53 of the second. She would add another, from Doll and Friedlund, at 12:03 as Farmington took a 4-1 lead to the final period.
Tonsager scored her second goal in as many games at 3:29 of the third. Assists were credited to Batta and Rachael Welzin. The Raiders would score with 1:21 to play to cap the scoring.
The five goals by the Tigers mark a season high and just the second time all season they have scored three or more. Jessica Erchul stopped 23 shots for Farmington.
Despite the outburst and the low goals against the last three games, Holmes still sees areas where his team can improve.
“We need to keep in mind our strengths, like defensive zone, for every game we play and be sure to keep those strengths at the forefront,” Holmes said. “The second goal was a breakdown in coverage and we need to be sure to keep limiting those like we have in games like Hopkins even if we do have a couple [goals] on board.”
The Tigers return to action Tuesday when they travel to Chaska to take on Chaska/Chanhassen. The Stormhawks sit atop the Missota Conference with 11 points through six games.
