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Hanzel looks to lead Rochester Lourdes to three-peat in Section 1A

01/05/2021, 10:15am CST
By LPH

Rochester Lourdes defenseman Magie Hanzel will look to lead her squad to a three-peat in Section 1A. Photo by Tim Kolehmainen/Breakdown Sports

Faribault, Red Wing could contend

Rochester Lourdes is a two-time section repeat winner, and will look to make it a three-peat in 2021. 

The Eagles have one of the top players in the state in defenseman Maggie Hanzel. Hanzel had 17 goals and 27 assists last season and will lead the offense again in 2021. They also have some young scoring talent in forwards Sawyer and Delaney Fleming, who combined for 21 goals and 26 assists last season. Sawyer is just an eight grader and Delaney is a sophomore. Senior defenseman Abby Wick also returns after notching 18 points last season.

Faribault loses their top three scorers, but does return some talent and Red Wing, a former section stalwart, will look to get back on track after a 9-win season last year. Albert Lea brings back some offensive punch with Allison Dulitz leading the way after a 41-point season last year. Austin brings back senior net minder Shelby Davidson after she posted an impressive .927 save percentage while winning nine games last season. Austin also returns Kate Holtz,who as a sophomore put up 51 points and will lead the Packers offense.

Here is a team-by-team preview:

Section 1A Girls Hockey

Austin

Section: 1A

Conference: Big 9 

Head Coach: Troy Holtz

2019-20 Record: 12-13-0

Conference Record: 7-11-0

State Tournaments: 2000, 2007, 2008

Number of letterwinners returning/lost: 18/2

Top returning players: Kate Holtz (SR/F, 24-31-55), Alexis Stich (12/F, 8-15-23), (SR/F, Alyssa Squier), (JR/F Mikiah Rumsey, 3-3-6), (JR/F Hailee Schaefer 1-2-3), (SO/F, A.J. Barrera, 5-7-12), Shelby Davidson (12/G, 9-8-0/2.72/.927), Alexis Stich (12/F, 8-15-23), Sarah Wangen (10/D, 1-10-13).

Graduation losses: C Jordyn McCormack (All-Big 9)

Team Outlook: Austin is going into this season with a balanced roster and they also return their top scorer in Kate Holtz who scored 24 goals and 31 assists last season. They have put together a solid defense core between Sam Krueger, Sarah Wangen and Cassidy Davidson which will be their strength this season. With 18 players returning form a 12-win season last year, they could be a potential sleeper in Section 1A.

 

Albert Lea

Section: 1A

Conference: Big 9

Head Coach: Mark Goskeson 

2019-20 Record: 12-15-0

Conference Record: 7-8-0

State Tournaments: None

Number of letterwinners returning/lost: 11/7

Top returning players: Allison Dulitz (12/F, 15-26-41), Maddie Schneider (12/G, 9-13-0/3.45/.898), Lucy Stay (11/F, 10-3-13).

Graduation losses: D Laynee Behrends, F Rylee Bjorklund, F Sydney Collins, F Mia Fjelsta, (All-Big 9), F Katelyn Steven (All-Big 9)

Team Outlook: Albert Lea’s team goal this season is to reach 15 wins which is a real possibility after they put together 12 this past year. One of their strengths is at goalkeeper with senior Maggie Schneider who put together a .898 save percentage last season. They also return their top scorer in Allison Dulitz who had 15 goals last season and 41 points overall.

 

Waseca

Section:1A

Conference: Big South

Head Coach: Sarah Tollefson

2019-20 Record: 1-25-0

Conference Record: 1-13-0

State Tournaments: None

Top returning players: Paige Benson (12/F, 8-4-12), Jacklynn Jevning (12/C, 3-8-11), Cecelia Huttemier (10/D, 6-3-9)

Graduation losses: D Haley Holtz, C Jayde Pederson (All-Big South)

Team Outlook: Waseca had a tough go around last year and is looking to rebuild their program going into this season. They have senior Jayde Pederson to help lead the way as they try to develop themselves into a tough test for other teams.

 

Winona

Section: 1A

Conference: Big 9

Head Coach: Tom Sanvik

State Tournaments: None

 

Faribault

Section: 1A

Conference: Big 9

Head Coach: Mike Dietsch

2019-20 Record: 19-6-0

Conference Record: 13-3-0

State Tournaments: 2010

Top returning players: Riley Starkson (12/C, 14-17-31), grace McCoshen (9/D, 8-17-25), Izzy Stephens (9/W, 8-11-19), Allie Velander (12/W, 8-6-14), Ashley Rost (12/D, 9-2-11), Anna Selly (12/W, 4-5-9), Bergen Williamson (10/D, 0-7-7).

Graduation Losses: Mikayla Bohner (All-Big 9, Class A All-State), W Abby Goodwin, D Serenity Knott, W Haley Lang (All-Big 9), D Emily Wilder, C Olivia Williamson (All-Big 9, Class A All-State)

Team Outlook: The Falcons are the biggest threat to knock off section favorite, Rochester Lourdes. They have a solid winger group between Rylie Starkson, Alli Velander and Ashley Rost who is expected to be very productive. They also boast freshman defender Grace McCoshen who tallied 22 points as an eighth grader. 

 

Red Wing

Section: 1A

Conference: Big 9 

Head Coach: Nicole Olson 

2019-20 Record: 9-16-1

Conference Record: 8-6-1

State Tournaments: 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018

Top returning players: Tatum Zylka (9/F, 7-6-13), Ashlyn Hintz (11/F, 3-7-10), Allison Kruger (9/D, 4-6-10)

Graduation losses: G Hailey Ehlers (All Big-9), D Margaret Grove (All-Big 9)

Team Outlook: The Red Wings have made regular appearances in the state tournament this past decade but they are looking to bounce back after a down season this past year. It won’t be easy though as they lost their top two scorers from last season. They will look for offensive leadership from freshman Tatum Zylka who had 7 goals and 13 points last season.

 

Rochester Lourdes

Section: 1A

Conference: Independent 

Head Coach: Laura Vannelli

2019-20 Record: 18-12-0

State Tournaments: 2019, 2020

Top returning players: 

Graduation losses: C Sarah Dravis (Class A All-State), G Corrin Hanson, W Isabelle Heim, D Carlie Hildebrandt, W Emma Schmitz (Class A All-State), D Allison Smith, W Kylie VerNess

Team Outlook: Rochester Lourdes has one of the best defenders in the country in Maggie Hanzel who is a Boston commit. She had 44 points last season and led all Minnesota defensemen in scoring. The Eagles have controlled the section for the past two seasons and will look to do so again behind Hanzel’s leadership. It is their section to lose. And with Hanzel at the helm, they may be tough to overtake. The Boston commit can defend and score, a lethal combination that bodes well for the Eagles.

Tag(s): State Of Hockey