The Section 6AA semifinals took place last week with Armstrong/Cooper girls hockey, the fourth seed, losing 8-0 to the top seed Benilde-St. Margaret’s at Parade Ice Garden on Feb. 14, concluding their 2023/24 season with a 10-15-2 record.
The Red Knights entered the Section 6AA tournament ranked fifth in MSHSL Class AA at the end of the regular season. Benilde-St. Margaret’s also represented Armstrong/Cooper’s first new opponent for the section tournament, having already faced Jefferson in the regular season before beating them in the quarterfinals.
They proved to go Benilde-St. Margaret’s way, but the Red Knights did have to work to get their win. The first goal came during a power play after eight minutes and firm defending by the Wings. It was their 11th unanswered shot of the game.
The Red Knights scored two more before the break to lead 3-0, having taken 25 shots against Armstrong/Cooper. They scored five more in the second period from 18 shots. Benilde-St. Margaret’s eventually had 56 shots against the Wings, who had nine.
The Wings bunkering in the defensive zone had forced Benilde-St. Margaret’s to work for goals, but the Red Knights also proved capable of solving the puzzle as the game progressed. Despite the mounting troubles at hand, the Wings did well to maintain composure, receiving just two minor penalties against Benilde-St. Margaret’s.
Armstrong/Cooper’s few chances did pose danger through the skill of forwards like Claire Riestenberg and Lydia College, but the Wings were not able to repeat their counterattack heroics from the game against Jefferson.
The final play of the game saw senior goaltender Emma Kahl save one final shot for the season, concluding her impactful time with the team. Kahl had 48 saves against Benilde-St. Margaret’s. With her 44 against Jefferson, Kahl had a combined 92 saves in the 2024 Section 6AA tournament.
The result ended the Armstrong/Cooper girls hockey season, concluding an eventful winter of hard work and growth at the New Hope Ice Arena along with the conclusion of Kahl, College, Riestenberg, Ruby Monogue, Elizabeth Brey, Ella Picka, and Brielle Anderson’s senior seasons.
Riestenberg led the team on points this season with 44 from 28 goals and 16 assists. College collected 21 points from eight goals and 13 assists, while Ruby Monogue had 19 from 10 goals and nine assists.
Junior defender Claire Hanson had the highest point count for non-senior players with 16 from three goals and 13 assists. She was also tied for second-most assists with College and Picka.
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