The Austin girls hockey team started out with intensity, but it couldn’t carry that early spark into the second period as the Packers fell 17-2 to Mankato East in Riverside Arena. The Packers started the game with an early flurry and they trailed 2-0 after one period, but the Cougars (7-3 overall) broke things open with nine goals in the second period. They were led by sophomore Alexis Erickson, who finished with five goals and four assists. “The girls played very well in the first period and it’s been that way all season,” Austin head coach Denny Bray said. “If you look at the rosters, we’ve got 13 girls in ninth, eighth and seventh. That’s half of our team and we’re going up against juniors, seniors and sophomores. Every goalie we’ve gone against has been a senior. It’s tough.” Senior Kate Fox and freshman Jamey Bastyr each scored one goal for Austin (1-8 overall) and freshman Sadie Coddinton had an assist. Sophomore Chloe Schaal had 50 saves in net for Austin. “It’s a learning year. It’s a building year,” Bray said. “We’ve just got to keep plugging away and it’ll happen.” SCORING SUMMARY Mankato East 2 9  6  –  17 Austin 0 1  1  –  2 The post Cougars use second period push to put away Packers appeared first on Austin Daily Herald.