It’s been a busy week for Minnetonka seniors Maggie Nicholson and Lacey Martin. Aside from playing three games this week, the standouts signed their college national letter of intent.
Nicholson, a defender, signed with the University of Minnesota, while Martin, who plays forward, committed to Boston University.
While the excitement of signing a national letter of intent could prove to be a distraction for some, it doesn’t appear to have had an effect in Minnetonka as the Skippers seem to be firing on all cylinders, culminating in them cruising past Roseau 8-0 in their home opener at Pagel Activity Center in Minnetonka on Friday night.
Looking at the Minnetonka (3-0,0-0) roster, the star power starts on the defensive side with Nicholson and junior Rory Guilday. The two are paired together and can challenge opponents with their hard slap shots from the blue line.
“Our coaches tell us they want us in there shooting when we’re on offense,” Nicholson said. “When we’re on our offense, we’re a five-man unit.”
After winning its first two games by a combined score of 15-0, Minnetonka continued its dominant start to the season on Friday with an offensive outburst in an 8-0 shutout of Roseau at Pagel Activity Center in Minnetonka.
The Skippers (3-0, 0-0) started the scoring spree in the first period behind a goal from senior forward Kylie Melz. Minnetonka recorded two more goals in the period, including one from senior forward Lacey Martin to make it 3-0 before intermission.
Minnetonka added two more goals in the second period to extend its lead to 5-0. The first came off the stick of Martin, who tallied her second goal of the night to give her a team-high seven on the season.
Early in the third period, freshman defender Grace Sadura kept the Skippers’ scoring parade moving with a shot to make it 6-0. Senior forward Emily Bayless wrapped the party with two goals in the period to complete a hat trick.
Along with the offensive output, the Skippers shut out their opponent for the third time this season. Through three games, Minnetonka junior goaltender Brynn Dulac, who had 16 saves Friday, has yet to allow a goal.
Roseau (0-1, 0-0) threatened to end Minnetonka’s defensive stranglehold on numerous occasions but couldn’t quite break through.
Rams junior goalie Josie Johnson stopped 14 shots in the loss.
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