ROCHESTER — The No. 2 seeded Hayfield girls basketball team received a big spark off the bench as it knocked off No. 10 Zumbrota-Mazeppa (12-14 overall) 61-35 in a Section 1AA quarterfinal game in Mayo Civic Center in Rochester Monday.

Hayfield was up 19-14 early on when sophomore Abby Sasko came into the game and had an immediate impact on defense. Stasko provided pressure defense and she came up with three steals to help the Vikings put on an 11-0 run. Kate Kruger, who finished with seven points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, also had nine points during that run.

“I felt pretty good about getting out there,” Stasko said. “I was tired, but it was OK. You don’t want to be slacking and you want to always be going your hardest.”

Stasko had to play bigger role for the Vikings (23-5 overall) because junior Maggie Streightiff was feeling ill. Streightiff still finished with 14 points and six rebounds, but she had to take spurts of rest throughout the night.

“We weren’t expecting Maggie to be that sick today,” Hayfield co-head coach Kasey Krekling said. “She just didn’t have that much in the tank. Hopefully she’s better by Saturday, but Abby Stasko played great off the bench. She hasn’t played that many meaningful minutes this year and for her to play that well on the top of our 1-3-1 [defense] was a big boost for us.”

The Vikings wanted to come out fast in the first half and they were able to build up a 42-18 lead at the break. In the second half, Hayfield stayed patient on offense.

“We wanted to push the ball and keep them tired,” said Hayfield senior Sophia Waldner, who had seven points and four rebounds. “We had prepared in practice for the extra ten feet on the court. I’m very excited [about moving on], especially with it being my senior year. It’s a much different feeling.”

Krekling is hoping his team can take its game to the next level as the postseason moves on.

“We weren’t pleased with our defense,” he said. “We felt like they missed a lot of bunnies and it wasn’t where we need it to be for the next two rounds to get to state.”

Hayfield will now face No. 3 seeded Rochester Lourdes in the Section 1AA semifinals in Mayo Civic Center in Rochester 2 p.m. Saturday. The Vikings beat the Eagles (19-9 overall) 69-65 in Hayfield Jan. 28.

ZM 18  17  —  35

Hayfield 42  19  —  61

Hayfield scoring: Maggie Streightiff, 14; Olivia Matti, 13; Carrie Rutledge, 10; Kate Kruger, 7; Sophia Waldner, 7; Elecia Brown, 4; Abby Stasko, 4; Emily Sprau, 2; free throws: 66 percent (4-for-6); rebounds: 35 (Streightiff, 6); turnovers: 14