The Worthington Trojans girls hockey team got its season off to a winning start Tuesday night with a 3-2 overtime win over visiting Mankato West.
The Trojans won a thriller despite being outshot by the Scarlets, 41-23. Megan Dykstra tallied the game-winner two minutes and 25 seconds into overtime for WHS, which also got a pair of goals from Riley Nickel.
Worthington and Mankato West played to a scoreless tie in an opening period that had the Trojans control play earlier and the Scarlets later. WHS had an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal early, but the Scarlets later gained momentum and ended the period by getting 10 of the last 11 shots on net.
The Trojans broke the 0-0 tie 4:30 into the second period when Riley Nickel scored from the blue line following assists from Marin Pederson and Peyton Nickel. Mankato West got the equalizer at 12:44 of the period on Hope Rodemaker’s power-play goal.
It would remain 1-1 into the third period, and the Scarlets would gain the edge when seventh-grader Maree Zimmerman scored up close at the 7:01 mark while Mankato West was skating with a 5-on-3 advantage. The Trojans, though, got even when Riley Nickel scored again, this time unassisted with 4:21 remaining in regulation. That set the stage for Dykstra’s overtime clincher, which came on an assist from Lauren Nelson.
Worthington goaltender Lilyanna Newman was outstanding Tuesday, stopping 39 shots. The Trojans host Waseca at 1 p.m. Saturday.
