Photo by Sam Thiel Members of the Marshall 12U girls hockey team rush the ice after defeating Luverne 4-3 in overtime in the 12U B South Region tournament championship game on Sunday at the Red Baron Arena and Expo.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Amateur Hockey Association 12U girls hockey team had faced Luverne twice within its first five games of the season, falling both times by a combined score of 18-5. But since that second loss to the Cardinals on Nov. 20, 2021, Marshall has been dominant, winning 31 of 33 games.

Two weeks ago, Marshall 12U faced Luverne for a third time in the District 4 championship, but fell 5-1. Despite the loss, Marshall earned a spot in the Minnesota Hockey 12U B South Region tournament, held on its home ice at the Red Baron Arena and Expo this past weekend. Marshall drew Cannon River Green in the quarterfinals on Friday, winning 4-0 before defeating Minnetonka Blue 3-0 in the semifinals on Saturday to advance to the championship game on Sunday. Standing in their path of reaching the state tournament was Luverne, who had dispatched Minnetonka Black and Edina Green in its first two games.

In front of a raucous crowd, Marshall and Luverne put on a show and in thrilling fashion, Marshall 12U was able to rally from a one-goal deficit in the third period, with a goal from Brooklyn Mauch with 1:19 left in overtime serving as the game-winner to help Marshall earn a 4-3 victory and punch its ticket to state.

The win was also a historic one for Marshall 12U, as they became the first team in MAHA program history to qualify for the state tournament. Marshall 12U coach Mike Foley said they were a little up and down but was proud of the way his team continued to battle throughout the game.

“We started out a little fast and then got a little slow and it was kind of back and forth, but one thing about this group is that they never ever quit,” Foley said. “And they didn’t quit [today] and that’s what proved to be the determining factor.”

Mauch, who finished with a hat trick, added it’s extremely special to not only be the first MAHA team to make it to the state tournament but also to accomplish it on their home ice.

“That’s very special to me,” Mauch said. “I think this rink is the best place ever and it’s just special that we won regions on our home ice. We wanted to be the first MAHA team to go to state, so we just went out there and gave it our all and worked as a team.”

Marshall jumped out to a quick start, as Mauch found the back of the net with 7:33 left to make it 1-0 before adding another goal a few minutes later to push the lead to 2-0 going into the second period. Both teams went back and forth throughout the second frame, but Luverne kept attacking and scored with 3:33 left to draw the deficit to 2-1. The Cardinals weren’t done there, as they scored two more times within a two-minute span to take a 3-2 lead after two.

Marshall had scoring chances on power plays early in the third, but wasn’t able to capitalize. Then with just 13 seconds left on another power-play opportunity, Marshall took advantage, as Peyton DeMuth found the back of the net to tie things up at 3-3 with 10:30 left. Neither side could capitalize the rest of the frame, forcing an overtime session.

In the extra session, both teams traded quality scoring chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. The game appeared to be headed to a second overtime, but Mauch was able to get ahead of the Luverne defense for a breakaway opportunity before getting one past the goaltender to cement the 4-3 victory.

Luverne outshot Marshall 55-13 on the game. Lily Stelter earned the victory in net for Marshall, recording 52 saves.

Up next

Marshall 12U (36-5-1) will compete in the 12U B state tournament on March 18-20 at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia, Minn. Marshall will face Apple Valley/Burnsville/Eastview on March 18 at 2 p.m. Going into the state tournament, Foley said they need to continue to play with confidence and as a team.

“We’ve played eight Top 20 teams in the state and we don’t need to be scared of anybody,” Foley said. “We can play with anybody; the girls know that, their confidence will be high, just let’s not get too confident because there’s still a lot of work to do because the next teams we play will all be this good. But we can play with anybody.”

Marshall

Pee Wee B

The Marshall Pee Wee B boys hockey team also had a chance to qualify for the state tournament. Marshall fell to Edina White 8-0 in its quarterfinal game on Friday, dropping to the consolation bracket. Marshall then defeated Minnesota River 6-2 on Saturday morning before defeating Rochester White 7-2 later that day to advance to the consolation semifinals on Sunday. There, Marshall faced Edina White again, but fell 6-0 to bring an end to its season.