WHS GIRLS' HOCKEY: Trojans notch first shutout of the year

WORTHINGTON — The Worthington girls’ hockey team knew it needed a different mentality heading into its game against Marshall on Tuesday night.

After tying Morris/Benson Area on Saturday despite starting the game with a two-goal lead, the Trojans decided they needed to play as if they were losing the game instead of playing as if the win was already in the bag.

That mentality worked out for WHS as it notched its second win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Marshall, thus doubling its win total from last year and notching its first shutout in either of those two seasons.

“We went into every period as if we were losing, which forced us to play harder,” captain Allison Kremer said. “We knew we had to work as a team if we wanted to come out and beat this tough team. We knew in our heads that we could do it and we did it. It just took teamwork.”

Goalie Amanda Bristow had 32 saves on the night as she went on her way to record her first shutout as a varsity athlete.

And despite making some great saves, Bristow was quick to thank her teammates for their help in front of the net.

The Trojans had arguably one of their best nights defensively Tuesday.

Although Marshall had the puck in WHS’ zone nearly the entire third period, the Trojans were slapping at their opponent’s sticks and tying up their bodies to get the puck out from the front of the net.

“As a team, Marshall didn’t get a good second opportunity,” head coach Ken Karwoski said. “The first shot would come in and Amanda would make the save and then the girls would clear the net. It’s tough to score on that first shot. It’s the second nad third opportunities when you’re going to get those chances. My girls did a great job of limiting those opportunities.”

Betsy Thompson stole the show offensively for WHS, scoring both of the Trojans’ goals.

Her first goal came just 13 seconds into the game on an assist from Taylor Heidebrink. The second came with 29 seconds remaining in the game on an unassisted shot with an empty net.

“Taylor came in and took a good shot and I just kept hitting at it until it went in,” Thompson said. “Coach always says wait until the whistle blows to stop so that’s what I did. It was great. It felt good.

“And the second one, they took the goalie out of the net and we just put pressure on and they failed. Stuff happens, I guess.”

And for the rest of the team, that second goal was a sigh of relief. Marshall had been pounding the net the entire period and with just a one-goal lead the game could change entirely with just one shot.

And after losing a game in overtime earlier this season after having the lead deep into the third period and tying Saturday’s game in overtime after leading the majority of the game, the Trojans knew they didn’t want that to happen again.

“It was such a relief,” Bristow said. “I could breathe again it felt like. Once she got that goal everyone was so happy and we knew we had it.

“I just couldn’t believe it. I got my first shutout and we beat Marshall. I was just so excited and when Betsy scored we knew we couldn’t mess it up then.”

The Trojans (2-9-1) take on Fairmont at home Thursday night.

WHS hopes to build off of this win and come out strong in its next contest. The Trojans have already faced Fairmont twice this season, losing the first matchup in overtime after leading until the final minutes of the third period, and dropping the second contest 5-1.

However, if they enter that matchup with the same mentality they did Tuesday they hope to see different results.

“We played to win and we didn’t play to lose,” captain Mandi Vote said. “Playing to lose was exactly how we lsot the W with Fairmont. We kept saying, ‘Oh we’re up, oh we’re up,’ and then at the last moment we slipped.

“We have to go into every period like we’re going to win. We did a great job as a team tonight and we need to keep going for that each game.”

Marshall 0 0 0 — 0

WHS 1 0 1 — 2

Tags: sports, prep, hockey, trojans