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| 11 of the 13 Tiger seniors model their Missota Conference championship t-shirts |
In the first season the Missota has given the sport championship status and the last of its more than half century existence, Farmington (12-1 overall) finished with a perfect 5-0 league mark, outscoring its opponents by a combined score of 73-17.
Coach Dan Pickens' team finished off its perfect conference season Friday night with a 17-3 thrashing of Shakopee. That followed a lopsided 19-6 victory over Section 1 rival Rochester John Marshall Thursday night.
"I know I keep saying this but this is a very special group of girls that starts with a wonderful 2014 class of seniors that know what it takes to be leaders," Pickens said. "I feel honored to be able to coach these girls to such a successful season. Now we just need to finish it with our first trip to the state tournament."
Farmington 19 Rochester Century 6
If Thursday's Senior Night game at Tiger Field was a boxing match it would have been declared a technical knockout as the The Tigers dominated from start to finish against the Rockets.
Seven different players scored goals for Farmington with leading scorer Shelby Klotz paving the way with four goals. Rachael Welzin and Kaeli Halverson each chimed in with three goals and an assist and Ashley Steffes scored two goals and assisted on two others.
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| Ashley Steffes 4 goals, 4 assists in final two games (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
Farmington outshot its guests by a one-sided 41-15. Maddie Kohlbeck and Scootie Donnelly shared the goaltending duties. Kohlbeck gave up five goals with four saves. Donnelly stopped six of the seven Rocket shots she faced.
"Our seniors have grown so much as lacrosse players and as leaders during their time with the team," Pickens said. "They have a great group of younger girls to lead and the younger players definitely look up to them. This team is a perfect example of how important strong leadership is to the success of a team."
Farmington 17 Shakopee 3
The conference championship clinching win over the Sabers was long over at intermission as the Tigers scored a dozen unanswered goals in the opening period.
"We played some different positions and the girls were their normal respectful selves," Pickens said.
All in all, 13 different players scored goals for the winners with Halverson leading the way with her second hat trick in as many nights. Kelli Kornmann and Steffes each netted a pair of goals.
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| Kelly Kornmann (No. 46) two goals vs. Shakopee (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
Klotz, Welzin, Genzler, Amanda Davenport, Jill Tollefson, Kylee Glenn, Alexis Stanley, Nikki Colvard, Brooke Raske and Ali Saby also scored for the Tigers.
Steffes recorded two assists and Glen, Benson, Welzin, Shaye Jenrich and Ashley Hessler each had one.
Kohlbeck worked the Farmignton nets and finished with six saves.
Now the Tigers turn their attention to the post-season. Farmignton, ranked fifth in the most recent state poll, opens Section 1 play Tuesday with a home game against eighth-seeded Northfield. The Tigers beat the Raiders 18-2 during the regular season.
