The PNLS Trail Blazers have been blazing a trail for girls hockey since forming a team four years ago. They have gone to state every year, and have placed third at state every year.
Coach Brad McCool is proud of the progress the girls have made since that first year....when many of them didn't even know how to skate, much less handle a hockey stick. They've really come a long way, he said.
The team lost five seniors this year, has several new players and haven't had a lot of ice time as the Paynesville rink is not yet up and running, but they still managed to come out winning their first two games of the season.
In the Long Prairie game, which they won with a score of 2-1, the girls had 16 shots on goal. "Long Prairie had some good outside shooters," said McCool.
The Waseca game started out pretty slow, but in the last two periods the girls really picked up the pace. The girls had 15 shots on goal, with Paula Vogt scoring four of the six goals and Courtney Karsch two.
Team members are: Alana Ahlquist, Amanda McCool, Kris Pyka, Olivia Webster, Tessa Plumley, Nina Bragel, Courtney Karsch, Paula Vogt, Shari Vogt, Rachel Larson, Bonnie Laabs, Eli Johnson, Angie Routh, Crystal Huhn and Elizabeth Murch.