The Oahe Lady Capitals, down 2-0 after the first period, would score six of the last seven goals to defeat the Brookings Rangers 6-3 in the first round of the Girls State Tournament in Watertown on Friday.
After the Rangers scored twice in the first period to put the Capitals on their heels, Oahe stood its ground and Dakota McEntaffer would get a power play goal on a pass directed in off of a Ranger defender. Then, Emily Nemec would tie the game at 2-2 with six seconds remaining in the second after Katie Reiss would hit the post and Nemec would stuff in the rebound. Micah Buffalo would give the Caps its first lead with a power play goal in front of the net, before Haley Fuerst would redirect a shot from Mallory Lehrkamp to make it 4-2 midway through the third period. After Brookings pulled within one at 4-3, Brylee Kafka would create the separation scoring late in the third period and then finding Nemec up the ice as she would seal the win with an empty netter and her second goal of the game. Nemec’s two goals would get her the player of the game as Sophia Peschong made 21 saves on the afternoon for the Caps to advance to face Sioux Falls on Saturday in the state semifinals.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 between Oahe and Sioux Falls on Saturday. All games of the state tournament are on Capital City Rock and on YouTube at Capital City Rock Sports with Jon Winkler and Jim Lloyd on the call.
First Round Final Scores:
Mitchell 5, Rushmore 2
Aberdeen 10, Sioux Center 0
Oahe 6, Brookings 3
Sioux Falls 6, Watertown 0
Second Round Matchups
Consolation Semifinals
#6 Rushmore vs. #7 Sioux Center – 11:30
#5 Brookings vs. #8 Watertown – 2:00
Championship Semifinals
#2 Aberdeen vs. #3 Mitchell – 4:30
#1 Sioux Falls vs. #4 Oahe – 7:00
