Prior Lake girls hockey opened the week Jan. 22 against Holy Family, the No. 3 team in the state, according to the latest Let’s Play Hockey AA rankings. 

Entering the game with a 19-2 record, Holy Family scored late in the first period to take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Lakers answered in the second period when junior forward Abby Anthony scored to tie the game, assisted by junior defender Kallie Disrud. Holy Family responded later in the period to regain the lead and carried a 2-1 advantage into the third. 

Prior Lake was unable to find the net in the final frame, while Holy Family added another goal to close out a 3-1 win.

Senior goaltender Sophie Cappiello kept the Lakers in the game throughout the night, stopping 39 of 42 shots against one of the state’s top-ranked teams.

Second period surge lifts Lakers at Apple Valley

Prior Lake followed with a road matchup Jan. 24 at Apple Valley, another strong opponent ranked No. 19 in the Let’s Play Hockey rankings. 

The Lakers got on the board late in the first period when junior forward Ella Voll scored, assisted by sophomore forward Maddie DuChene, to take a 1-0 lead into the break.

The Lakers took control in the second period, scoring the first three goals of the frame. 

Freshman forward Avery Olson made it 2-0 with a goal assisted by junior forward Addi Heinicke and senior forward Ava Anderson. Anderson followed with a goal of her own, assisted by senior defender Paige Watkins and Olson, before Olson added her second of the game from Heinicke and freshman forward Eloise Maunu.

Apple Valley answered with a goal, but Prior Lake responded before intermission with a power-play goal by DuChene, assisted by goaltender Cappiello, to take a 5-1 lead into the third. 

Neither team scored in the final period as the Lakers skated away with the victory.

Cappiello earned the win in net, stopping 27 of 28 shots.

Lakers drop road game at unbeaten Farmington

The week wrapped up with another road test against conference-leading and undefeated No. 9-ranked Farmington, which entered the matchup 13-0 in conference play and 18-4-1 overall. 

Olson continued her strong play, opening the scoring for the Lakers with a first-period goal assisted by Maunu.

Farmington answered with one goal in the second period and added three more in the third to pull away for a 4-1 victory, remaining unbeaten in conference play.

Cappiello was again strong in goal, stopping 36 of 40 shots.

Up Next

The Lakers wrap up the regular season with one final game, hosting Rosemount on Jan. 31 at 1:00 pm at Dakotah! Ice Center. 

From there, the focus shifts to section playoffs as Prior Lake prepares for postseason play.