Prep of the Week: Dodge County Girls Hockey

(ABC 6 News) — A historic season for the Dodge County Wildcats saw the girls hockey team make its first-ever state tournament appearance and put Southeast Minnesota on the map.

Last season they lost the section final in overtime, driving them to leave no stone unturned this year.

“Being more mature and we always knew that this year would be a good year for us,” Head Coach Jeremy Gunderson said. “With senior leadership and our younger kids that have been playing since 7th grade, finally they’re older, Maysie has over 100 points and she’s only a freshman.”

From the first line to the end of the bench, there is no shortage of passion for this Wildcats team.

“Especially for girls as young as Maren who’s a 7th grader to come out there, put a smile on our face and cheer for the big girls is really a good feeling,” senior McKenna LaFleur reflected. “Because it really takes everyone, all four lines have to put it all out there if we are going to win this thing.”

While the team didn’t take home a State Title game on its first try they made sure the Wildcats made people’s radar.

“I feel like a lot of people coming into the state tournament didn’t really know where we were from,” junior Mollie Koch mused. “They kind of looked down on us, we were the underdogs for sure.”

“‘(You’re) not everything,’ it is, we’re Dodge County, we’re here,” junior Nora Carstensen added.

Making history is only the beginning for a young Wildcats team graduating just four seniors.

“It’s been so awesome to be a part of this program,” senior Abby Simons mentioned. “And especially this team, I have really enjoyed my time as a Wildcat and getting to come to the state tournament and make some history with these girls has been really cool. There is a strong future ahead of these girls and a lot of potential in every one of the girls on this team.”