Falcons edge Packers in Section 1A girls’ hockey semi-final Saturday night 2-1

Rylie Starkson’s goal for the Faribault Falcons at 12:59 of the second period proved to be the eventual game-winner in a 2-1 win over the Austin Packers Saturday night in the Section 1A semi-finals at the Faribault Ice Arena.

Kate Holtz put the No. 3 seeded Packers in front 1-0 with a power play goal with only 10 seconds left in the first period, with assists to Jordyn McCormack and Samantha Krueger, but from there Faribault goaltender Mikayla Bohner shut the door and the No. 2 seeded Falcons tied the game at one when Grace McCoshen scored at 5:44 of the second period.

The Falcons outshot the Packers in the game 41-21, with Austin goalie Shelby Davidson turning aside 39 shots, while Bohner made 19 saves for Faribault.  Each team was penalized three times for six minutes, and the Packers were 1-3 on the power play while the Falcons were 0-3.

Austin winds up the season with a record of 12-13, while Faribault is now 19-5.  The Falcons will play top-seeded Rochester Lourdes in the Section 1A  girls’ hockey final Thursday night at Four Seasons Arena in Owatonna at 7:30 p.m.  The Eagles shut out No. 5 seed Albert Lea Saturday night 3-0 to advance.