Goodhue Incredible Championship Run Halted by Hayfield

The Goodhue Wildcats scored just six points in the second half of their Section 1A Semi-Final contest with the Hayfield Vikings Saturday.  Hayfield won 42-26 and will play Lyle/Pacelli for the Section 1A title.  The two time defending State Champion Wildcats trailed by just one at the half 21-20.

Listen to the audio of the game below.

Goodhue senior Emily Benrud broke her arm in a game against Kenyon-Wanamingo in in early February and was in uniform for the game.  Benrud is an outstanding defender and rebounder and was definitely missed in the Wildcat lineup.  Goodhue was 5-3 without her playing and 16-5 with her on the floor. She will play basketball next year at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

The only field goal Goodhue had in the second half came with 1:27 to go in the game.  It seemed like there was a lid on the basket for the Wildcats.  They had a number of good shots but couldn't even make a layup.  Vikings Coach Kasey Krekling said he was proud of his team's "best defensive effort of the season."

Hayfield did a masterful job of defending 6'3 junior Lexie Lodermeier in the post, holding her to one field goal and a free throw.

Goodhue 5'9 junior Kate Opsahl had 7 points to lead the Wildcat scoring.

Sydney Lodermier capped a stellar high school career for Goodhue with 5 points.  Sydney is going to play basketball at Winona State next year.

It was just one of those games where the ball would not go in the basket for any of the Wildcats.  Not even free throws.  Goodhue was 4 of 10 from the free throw line in the game and Hayfield was 3 of 6.

The senior dominated Vikings were led by 5'10 Olivia Matti and 5'9 Carrie Rutledge with 10 points each. 5'9 Kate Kruger added 9 points.

Another key statistic in the second half was Goodhue's 11 turnovers compared to Hayfield's 5.  The totals were 22 for Goodhue and 14 for Hayfield

The #4 Class A ranked Wildcats finished their season 21-8 and #3 rated Vikings are 25-4.

One of the Viking losses was to #1 rated Lyle/Pacelli 66-49.

Listen to the audio of the game below.