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Less than two weeks ago, Moose Lake Area defeated Duluth Marshall 4-0 in girls hockey in Moose Lake. Last Saturday, MLA was looking to become the first Rebels girls hockey team to play in a section final if they could beat Hilltoppers again. It wasn't in the cards.

The Rebels struggled to match the firepower of Marshall and were bounced from the Section 7A tournament 5-1.

"I thought we had a good edge to start the game and we had some chances early," said Rebels head coach Reilly Fawcett. "We were down 1-0 and then we gave up two goals toward the end of the period, so I think being down 3-0 had some effect on us going into the second period."

The game was scoreless midway through the first period when the Rebels had a 5-on-3 power play. They were unable to convert. When the power play ended, the Mirage got a goal from Ilsa Lindaman to make it 1-0. Before the period ended, Lindaman and Nina Thorson both added goals to make it 3-0.

"It's tough to get three goals when the other team is a good team like Marshall and they have the lead on you," Fawcett said. "Our girls fought the whole game, but it was just too big a hole to dig out of."

The Hilltoppers added another tally in the second period by Avery Lian and a third-period goal by Sarah Stauber as they built a 5-0 lead.

"Lindaman and Thorson are just very good players and tough to match up against," Fawcett said. "Those two anticipate things before they happen, and then they are in the right spot to take advantage of their opportunities."

The Rebels were able to avert the shutout in the third period when Jorja Jusczak got a puck past the Hilltopper goalie with assists going to Katie Metzer and Hallie Klavu.

Dave Harwig

"I'm proud of what our girls accomplished this season especially when we lost our top returning scorer from a year ago just prior to the season," Fawcett said of losing Sandra Ribich to an injury. "Early on in the season, when we started 0-4, we had to figure out who was going to score for us. Then we got things going, which is a tribute to our team and their ability to fight through adversity."

The last two seasons have seen the Rebels knocking at the door to get to the section final, but they have fallen just short of the title game. Fawcett said it's all part of the growing process.

"We will keep working. Right now we just need to develop the mindset that we can be a championship team," Fawcett said. "Once we learn to have that confidence, it will get us where we want to be."

The Rebels lose five seniors, but will return a strong nucleus of young players who will be champing at the bit to extend a playoff run next season.