East Ridge girls hockey: Raptors’ season ends in section quarterfinals

The youthful East Ridge girls hockey team put forth a noble effort in its final game of the 2011-12 season, but came up on the short end of the stick with a 5-1 loss to top-seeded and ninth-ranked Eagan in the Section 3AA playoffs.

With the loss, the Raptors’ – and first year head coach Craig Norwich’s – season came to an end with a 6-17-4 overall record. East Ridge also finished 2-13-2 and in eighth place in the 10-team Suburban East Conference.

In the Section 3AA quarterfinal, East Ridge played Eagan to a 1-1 first period. However, the Wildcats (22-3-3) scored four second-period goals and held on for the win. East Ridge sophomore Cassie Goff tallied the lone goal for the Raptors, shorthanded with assist going to sophomore Kayla Bender. East Ridge freshman goalie Paige Press stopped 31 shots in the loss.

Eagan went on to earn the Section 3AA championship and a trip to the state tournament.

On the year, Olivia Henderson led the Raptors in scoring with 12 points on eight goals and four assists, followed by Erica Michaud with 10 points. Kayla Griffith and Kayla Bender tied for third with nine points each.

East Ridge only says good-bye to two seniors from this year’s roster – Brianna Elsmore and Krista Frankenberg.

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