Schaefer saves the day

Revenge is a dish best served hot. The Monticello girls’ lacrosse team was given a chance at a bit of a revenge tour to begin the Section 8 playoffs. In the first round, Monticello traveled to St. Michael-Albertville High School on Wednesday, May 29.

For the first time since 2016, Monticello beat STMA on the road and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

48 minutes wasn’t enough for the Magic and Knights but Ali Schaefer was ready for the moment. Tied 8-8, Schaefer promptly ended the tie with a goal in overtime as the Magic advanced to the section semifinals for the first time since 2018 when they beat Brainerd and Osseo/Park Center to reach the section finals.

Monticello scored two goals late in the second quarter to break a 4-4 tie. The Magic spent much of the first six minutes of the third quarter with possession but STMA scored on a counter that pulled the Knights to within one. Lauren Moorhouse responded and gave Monticello a two-goal lead again.

However, that two-goal cushion didn’t last long. Piper Peterson got deep for the Knights and scored with 2:55 left in the third. Just about a minute later, Paige Bushard tied the game 7-7.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Bryn Dahlheimer made a point-blank save that kept the game tied. With 4:40 left, Monticello was awarded a free position but wasn’t able to capitalize. A minute later, they were given another one and after controlling a rebound, Schaefer scored her second of the game to give Monticello a late 8-7 lead.

The lead didn’t hold for long. Allie Rickard got on the board for STMA and tied the game with 3:11 left. In overtime, Schaefer saved her best for last. She scored the game-winning goal two and a half minutes into the extra frame and sent Monticello to the section semifinals.

The goal polished off a four-point, three-goal game for Schaefer. Moorhouse scored twice and had four points. Cassandra Johnson (two goals), Julia DeChene and Willa Scharmer also scored. Brookelyn Lindberg, Addison Kiphuth and Scharmer finished with one assist each. Dahlheimer made 10 saves.

#5 Monticello continued the revenge tour on Tuesday when they played #1 Elk River/Zimmerman. The winner advances to the section championship on Thursday between the winner of #2 Buffalo and #3 Moorhead.