Breck-Fast

ST. PAUL, Minn—You never quite know what to expect come tournament time. It seems on a game by game basis an unsung hero steps up and carries a team. Breck freshman Katie Schipper scored four goals in the Mustangs 5-1 semi-final victory over South St. Paul.

Schipper tallied twice in the first period, the first at 9:09 with the lone assist to Milica McMillen. The second came three minutes later for the 2-0 lead. The freshman completed the hat trick of the natural variety 1:37 into the second period.

“I had a hat trick earlier this year in a non-conference game,” said Schipper. “But this is the best game I have ever played.”

The Mustangs continued to pressure and find their way behind the defense of the Packers taking over the game in the second period. The team outshot South St. Paul 16-9 in the second period and tallied three times for the commanding 5-1 lead.

“Our only approach all year has been to get the kids confidence in how to play our game,” said Breck head coach Lenny Vannelli. “It was pretty entertaining for two periods.”

The Packers lone tally came at 2:47 of the second period when Riley Viner scored her third of the tournament one minute after Breck had taken the 3-0 lead. They would get no closer.

Schipper scored her fourth goal at 10:49 of the second period on the power play

“I had yogurt with granola,” said Shipper when asked what she ate for breakfast. A menu she will repeat tomorrow.

The victory could set up a matchup with class A power Warroad tomorrow afternoon. Although Vannelli wouldn’t dismiss Alexandria, the matchup with the Warriors intrigues the head coach.

“We’re going to respect their skill and we know they have some depth in net and again, if they can match our skating skills it will be an awesome championship game,” said Vannelli.