CEC Tops Warroad

With the score tied 3-3 and 14 minutes left to play, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton senior forward Kiana Bender skated with the puck into Warroad’s zone. Bender threw a shot toward the net that flew high and wide right above the goal.

Immediate feelings of disappointment were supplanted by sudden shock. The seemingly innocent shot took a perfect Lumberjack bounce, falling into the back of Warroad goaltender Kendra Nordlock and into the goal.

The go-ahead goal proved to be the game-winner Friday for No. 3-seeded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton as it defeated No. 2 seed Warroad 5-3 in a Class 1A semifinal at Xcel Energy Center.

Warroad overcame deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 earlier in the game, but couldn’t regroup after Bender’s bouncing goal.

Two minutes later, Bender got the benefit of another deflection as a Lumberjack shot redirected off her elbow and into the net to give the team some much needed breathing room.

Senior Taylor Nelson scored the first three goals for the Lumberjacks before assisting on both of Bender’s goals. She now has 47 goals this season.

Cloquet-Esko-Carlton will play in the state championship for the first time 2005.