CEC Girls Open with Win

George Bailey – NSO

Photos By: Shelley Robideaux

The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton girls hockey team opened the 2015-2016 season with a 3-2 victory over Brainerd at Northwoods Credit Union Arena.

Kiana Bender scored just 18 seconds into the first period as the Lumberjacks jumped out front to an early lead and went on to the one goal win over the Warriors.

Keagen Anderson earned the first of her two assists on the Bender goal. Kayla Baker gave the Lumberjacks a 2-0 lead a little over a minute later when she beat net minder Olivia King and the two goal lead. Anderson and Lexi Smalley assisted on the Baker goal.

The Warriors cut the lead to 2-1 shortly before the end of the first period as Blake Watland scored to make it a 2-1 lead after one period.

Rose Lundquist scored the Lumberjacks third goal in the second period to give CEC the 3-1 lead. No other goals were scored and the Jacks took the two goal lead into the third period.

Katie Orth would cut the lead back to one goal with a third period goal, at the 8:18 mark. The Lumberjacks defense stiffened from there on out and Erin Genereau who stopped 21 shots on goal earned the win.

First year head coach Courtney Olin also earned her first win of the season as the Jacks start 1-0. The Lumberjacks will face the North Shore Storm on Tuesday night in Two Harbors.

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