Austin Packers girls’ hockey falls to Albert Lea Tuesday evening 6-1

In a battle of two top teams not only in the Big 9 Conference but in Section 1A as well, the unbeaten Austin Packers girls’ hockey team played host to once-beaten Albert Lea at Riverside Arena Tuesday night, and it was Lucy Stay of the Tigers erupting for four goals, and Ali Dulitz chipped in two assists as the Tigers downed the Packers 6-1.

Josie Venam and Ally Rassmussen scored the other goals for Albert Lea, who led 6-0 before Kate Holtz tallied the lone goal of the game for Austin at 4:24 of the third period, with an assist to Isikiyah Hemann.  Shelby Davidson made 25 saves in facing 31 shots for the game, while Tiger netminder Maddie Schnider turned aside 21 of the 22 shots she faced for the win in goal.

Austin is now 4-1 with the loss, and the Packers are in fourth place in the Big 9 Conference, behind Albert Lea and Owatonna, who are both 5-1, and first-place Northfield, who sits at 5-0.

Austin returns to action at Riverside Arena Thursday night versus the Rochester Century Panthers, with face-off scheduled for 7:15 p.m.