The Austin Packers came to Faribault with a lot of confidence after defeating the Falcons 4-0 just a few weeks ago in Austin, and had a happy bus ride home after a 3-1 Section 1 Class A victory.

Faribault head coach Alli Miller told me after her team's win over Owatonna last Saturday that she did not want to play the Packers because they have the ingredients to make a run in the playoffs.

Austin has a couple 0f outstanding goal scorers and a very good goalie.

After a scoreless first period where Faribault outshot Austin 6-4, the Falcons' top goal scorer this season, sophomore Payton Putrah, scored her 20th thanks to senior Megan Johnstad's eightht assist. The goal came 9:56 of the second period.

The lead would not be enjoyed very long. Austin answered 32 seconds later when their top scorer, senior Chloe Summerfield, connected for her 40th goal after freshman Lily Holtz's fifth assist.

A little over two minutes later, Summerfield got her 17th assist with a beautiful pass to sophomore Myia Hoium. It was Hoium's 26th goal of the year.

Faribault had a number of opportunities to score in the third period but senior goalie Mara Overby was up to the task.

Summerfield would score an empty net goal with 1:50 to go in the game to seal the No. 5 seed's victory over fourth-seeded Faribault.

The Falcons outshot the Packers in each period 6-4, 9-7 and 13-8 for a total of 28 to 19. Each team had just one penalty in the game and it did not factor in the scoring, although Faribault's came in the third period when they were trying to tie the game.

Austin is now 15-11 and will play at top seed Northfield at 2PM Saturday. The Raiders got by Winona 4-1 Wednesday night.

In other Section 1 Class A games, No. 3 seed Owatonna edged Waseca 3-2 and No. 2 seed Red Wing had no trouble with Albert Lea 7-1.

Owatonna plays at Red Wing at 7PM Saturday in the other semifinal.

The Falcons end their season 17-7-2 and led the Big Nine for most of the season.

In Section 1 Class AA, the No. 4 and No. 5 seed had a battle also with Lakeville North defeating Rochester John Marshall 4-3 in two overtimes. North will face top seed Lakeville South at 7PM Saturday at Haase Arena in Lakeville.

No. 3 seed Farmington skated by Mayo 11-0 and No. 2 seed Dodge County blanked Rochester Century 8-0.

The Dodge County Wildcats will host Farmington at 7PM Saturday.

Falcons Pre-Game vs. Austin February 3, 2016
Falcons Pre-Game vs. Austin February 3, 2016
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