Packers top West behind Holtz’s hat trick
Published 9:53 pm Thursday, November 16, 2017
- Austin’s Lily Holtz watches a shot in front of the Mankato West goal during the first period Thursday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
When it comes to season openers, Austin junior Lily Holtz is right at home on the ice against Mankato West. For the second straight year Holtz netted a season opening hat trick against the Scarlets (1-1 overall, 0-1 Big Nine) in a 7-5 win for the Packers in Riverside Arena Thursday.
Holtz rebounded her own miss for a goal in the first period, she fired in a slap shot in the second period and she scored on a breakaway in the third period to keep Austin in control.
Austin goalie Faith Sayles makes a save in the second period against Mankato West Thursday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“ Every day I’m on the ice in the offseason. It’s nice to say it pay off and it’s nice to start the season strong,” Holtz said. “It’s a little bit different than last year, but we did start off strong last year as well. This year our team is working a lot better together and we all get along well. I think that has a lot to do with our communication.”
The Packers (1-0 overall, 1-0 Big Nine) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period as Myia Hoium and Jaiden Schuster, who both both finished with two goals, found the net. The Scarlets battled back to get within 3-2 in the second period before Holtz had an answer with her slap shot.
Austin’s Kylee Hanlon fires a shot against Mankato West in the first period Thursday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We just had to be aware of their big players and we had to keep them on the outside,” Holtz said.
Austin head coach Carley Grunewald said she was glad to pick up her first career win and she likes what her team showed her.
“There were a lot of jitters, but they got those out quick and they were playing well as a team. We did have eight penalties, so I’m not too pleased with that. But they did only get three goals off those power plays, so I’m not too upset,” Grunewald said. “Lily’s put a lot of work in the offseason and that’s helped her with her endurance and her skating ability. She’s so fast and she’s got the ability to pass. She’s a leader on and off the ice.”
Austin’s Myia Hoium unwinds a wrist shop to open up the game’s scoring against Mankato West Thursday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin received a nice mix from its veteran players and younger players as the team was able to use its depth to keep players fresh. Schuster said she’s excited about the potential of the Packers this winter.
“We love them all. It’s very nice having [the younger players],” Schuster said. “It’s very different from when I started my freshman year. Everybody works together and everybody’s friends with each other. There’s no drama and everything works good. I think we’re going to do real well this year.”
Faith Sayles had 32 saves in the win for Austin.
Austin’s Jaiden Schuster cuts into the Mankato West zone in the first period Thursday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
SCORING SUMMARY
West 0 2 3 — 5
Austin 3 1 3 — 7
First period
(A) Myia Hoium 8:03
(A) Lily Holtz 1:57
(A) Jaiden Schuster (Hoium) 2:49
Second period
(M) Molly Grundhoffer (power play) 5:50
(M) Courtney Bloemke (power play) (Hannah Wieland) 7:06
(A) Holtz 14:59
Third period
(A) Hoium (power play) (Schuster) :39
(M) Bloemke (power play) (Grundhoffer) 14:13
(A) Schuster (Hoium) 16:06
(M) Rachel Trautman (Grundhoffer) 8:22
Shots: Austin — 33; West — 37
Power plays: Austin — 1-for-4; West — 3-for-8
Austin’s Hannah McMasters battles in a crowd in front of the Mankato West net during the first period Thursday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
