Class A Girls Hockey State Quarterfinal: South St. Paul 3, Luverne 1

The No. 4-seeded South St. Paul Packers (16-10-2) defeated the No. 5-seed Luverne Cardinals (23-4) on Wednesday night by a score of 3-1 at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. With the win, the Packers will move on to the semifinals on Friday, taking on the top-seeded Warroad Warriors at 1:00 p.m. The Cardinals will head to the Consolation Bracket, facing River Lakes on Thursday at TRIA Rink.

The first period belonged to the Packers, as they held a 16-4 advantage in shots on goal. This offensive pressure resulted in a pair of goals in the period, to give them a 2-0 lead after the first 17 minutes. Junior Inga Oelerking scored the first goal for South St. Paul as a long-range shot made its way through traffic and found its mark two and a half minutes into the contest. Junior Alyiah Danielson picked up an assist on the play. Sophomore Eva Beck would tally the second score, unassisted.

The Cardinal offense picked up in the second period with both teams taking 12 shots apiece. Luverne cut the Packer lead in half with a goal from Kamryn Van Batavia early into the second frame. The junior put away a rebound right in front of the net with assists going to freshman Payton Behr and junior Mallory Von Tersch.

South St. Paul would answer later in the second period, as Danielson finished off a loose puck after a shot from defender Lilie Ramirez. Junior Kylie Stengal had the second assist on the play.

Neither team was able to score during the third period, leaving the final at 3-1 in favor of the Packers.

In net, senior Cheyenne Schutz made 38 saves throughout the contest for Luverne, finishing with a .927 save percentage. Junior Delaney Norman blocked 20 shots that came her way for South St. Paul, earning the win.