The Austin girls hockey team started off its season on a strong note as it beat Mankato West (2-1 overall, 0-1 Big Nine) 4-2 on the road Thursday.

The Scarlets took an early 1-0 lead in the first period, but sophomore Lilly Holtz scored the first of her three goals to tie the game at 1-1 in the second period. Holtz added two more third period goals to put the Packers (1-0 overall, 1-0 Big Nine) up 3-1. The Scarlets pulled to within 3-2 with four minutes left in the game, but Sam Grunewald scored an empty net goal to ice the game with 12 seconds left.

Sophomore Faith Sayles had 20 saves for the Packers, and Kylee Hanlon and Alexis Stich each had one assist. Austin had 34 shots on goal in the win.