Girls hockey: River Lakes holds off Albert Lea

Nov. 19—PAYNESVILLE — In a matchup between two ranked teams in Class A, the River Lakes girls hockey team secured a victory over Albert Lea on Saturday.

The Stars, ranked No. 11, beat 15th-ranked Albert Lea 2-1 at Koronis Civic Arena.

After no score in the first period, River Lakes struck first. Sophia Hess notched the game's opening goal on the power play 4 minutes, 4 seconds into the middle frame.

Hess, a junior forward from Rocori, has nine points (four goals, five assists) through four games this season.

The Tigers equalized the score late in the second period. Hanna Austinson knotted up the score at 1-1 at 16:46. The assists went to Haley Austinson and Aryah Hansen.

In the final minutes of the contest, River Lakes' Abby Storms pushed the Stars ahead to a 2-1 lead. She scored at 15:48 of the third period off an assist from Addie Olson.

The game-winning goal for Storms marked her team-leading sixth goal of the season. A sophomore forward/defenseman from Rocori, she also has two assists, good for eight points in four games.

Kaydence Roeske, a junior from Paynesville, made 21 saves on 22 shots faced.

River Lakes next plays host to Willmar, which is ranked No. 17 in Class A, at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at Koronis Civic Arena.

Albert Lea (3-1-0) 0 1 0 — 1

River Lakes (3-0-1) 0 1 1 — 2

FIRST PERIOD — No scoring.

SECOND PERIOD — (1) RL: Sophia Hess (unassisted), 4:04 PP ... (2) AL: Hanna Austinson (Haley Austinson, Aryah Hansen), 16:46.

THIRD PERIOD — (3) RL: Abby Storms (Addie Olson), 15:48.

GOALIE SAVES/SHOTS — Albert Lea: Jayda Moyer 26/28 ... River Lakes: Kaydence Roeske 21/22