Credit: Nick Wosika.
She’s only been the Edina girls’ hockey coach for one season, but Sami Reber has already built quite the resume.
With a 4-0 win over Blaine on Saturday night, Reber is the first female coach to win a Class AA state championship.
“That’s extremely humbling, especially with all the coaches that have come through and won these state championships,” Reber said in the postgame press conference. “Just to be put in a category with all of those coaches whether they’re male or female is an extreme honor.”
Credit: Nick Wosika.
Reber is in a category by herself for another accomplishment, being the first coach to earn a state title at the helm of the Hornets.
“I think it’s still soaking in for a lot of us, it seems like a dream,” Reber said. “This program has wanted it for so long, (and) is so deserving.”
Junior forward Lolita Fidler played as though she couldn’t wait one more season, scoring two goals in the win for the Hornets (28-1-1).
Fidler’s performance also cemented her as the game-winning-goal scorer for all three of the Edina tournament games, earning Wells Fargo All-Tournament team honors.
“I had no unassisted goals, so obviously it was all a team effort,” Fidler said.
Credit: Nick Wosika.
That team effort led to the first shutout of Blaine (24-4-2) all season, a consequence of nearly flawless play of the Hornet defenders.
“Their defense (was) outstanding,” Blaine head coach Steve Guider said. “They didn’t give us any room and that’s without question the best team we played.”
For at least another few days, the Edina girls’ team can say that they are the best hockey team at Edina High School, taking their turn in the spotlight after experiencing the praise heaped upon the champion boys’ teams.
Reber says that when the next banner bearing the title of state champion is lifted at Edina’s Braemar Arena, the memory will be sure to stay with her.
“When we get to hang that banner, it’ll be a day I’ll never forget.”
Credit: Nick Wosika.
Naomi Rogge, F, Eden Prairie
Sammie Morton, D, Eden Prairie
Abby Bollig, G, Farmington
Ellie Moser, F, Farmington
Emily Brown, D, Blaine
Kenzie Wylie, D, Blaine
Paige Beebe, F, Blaine
Anna Goldstein, G, Edina
Grace Bowlby, D, Edina
Lolita Fidler, F, Edina
Olivia Kilberg, F, Edina
Sophie Slattery, F, Edina
Credit: Nick Wosika.
Tag(s): State Of Hockey News