The Austin girls hockey team opened its season with a thriller when they skated to a 5-5 tie with Northfield on the road Thursday.

Austin freshman Carley Grunewald scored her third goal of the night to tie the contest with 23 seconds left after the Packers had pulled their goalie. Grunewald took a pass from Kennedy Thompson and made move to the net to score.

In overtime, Austin (0-0-1 overall) had a power play early on and just missed a scoring chance on a crossing pass with 30 seconds left in the eight-minute extra session.

“The girls skated well and played as a team,” Austin head coach Denny Bray said. “We’re not quite in game shape yet, but we’re getting there.”

Audrey DeVries had 51 saves in the net for the Packers, who attempted 22 shots on goal.

“Audrey was fantastic between the pipes tonight,” Bray said. “We never quit.”

Ashley Arhart gave Austin a 4-3 lead on a penalty shot early in the third period, but the Raiders scored twice in the last five minutes of the third period to take a 5-4 lead.

Abby Gallaher scored Austin’s other goal.

SCORING

Austin 2 1 2 0 — 5

Northfield 1 2 2 0 — 5

First period

(A) 8:18 Carley Grunewald (unassisted)

(A) 11:30 Abby Gallaher (Alex Larson, Kirsten Stanek)

(N) 13:50 Riley Seitz (unassisted)

Second period

(N) 4:34 Morgan Hubers (Annie Pumper) (PP)

(N) 9:21 Courtney Thomas (Laine Fischer, Katie Jirik)

(A) 9:50 Grunewald (unassisted)

Third period

(A) 4:25 Ashley Arhart (penalty shot)

(N) 12:30 Shelby Stark (unassisted) (SH)

(N) 15:04 Seitz (Stark)

(A) 16:37 Grunewald (Kennedy Thompson)