Photos by Arnie Hamel

The Moose Lake Rebels are off to a 4-1 start after three one-goal victories early in the season. Pictured: Rebels defender Hallie Klavu nearly scores against Hopkins/Park in her team's 2-1 victory on Nov. 15.

Rebel Yell

Reilly Fawcett’s Moose Lake Area Rebels are working hard and winning close games

Moose Lake Area head coach Reilly Fawcett is familiar with the rigors of playing hockey in Section 7A. Fawcett grew up in the Duluth area and went to Proctor High School. She played with the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage starting in eighth grade and continued to her senior year, when she scored 32 goals and helped lead her team to the state tournament in 2014.

Last year, as head coach for the Rebels, her team had a promising season, finishing with a 18-7-1 record. A key factor that influenced that success, Fawcett said, was that they out-worked every team on the ice, which was a big advantage for them since they are a small team and are lacking in numbers of players.

As with many programs, Moose Lake partners with other area schools just to make a team. The Rebels co-op with Cromwell, Willow River, East Central, Hinckley and Barnum to fill out their roster.

Still, making it to the state tournament this season

Reilly Fawcett

is a realistic goal for the team, according to Fawcett, and she hopes with enough work and practice they will make that goal come true.

“It is possible for anyone who has heart, dedication and determination,” coach Fawcett said. Going to the state tournament would be a first for Moose Lake, but would prove to the other teams just how hard they will have worked to get there.

That work ethic was instilled in Reilly as a young player for the Mirage. Fawcett credits her high school coaches, Glen Gilderman and Jeff Gunderson, for really helping push herself to be a better player on and off the ice.

After high school she went to Bemidji State and played four years of college hockey, continuing her love for the game. It was a really good experience for Reilly, since she had always dreamt of playing college hockey and moving up to the next level.

The reason she got into coaching was because she liked the way Gunderson and Gilderman influenced and impacted the girls' lives.

When it comes to coaching, one of her goals is to be as influential as Glen and Jeff were for her. Fawcett’s coaching philosophy isn't as much about telling the girls what to do, but instead is focused on coaching the girls different skills and techniques.

Moose Lake forward Megan Hattenberger attacks in the offensive zone with Hopkins/Park freshman defender Bella Bisbee in pursuit. 

Some key returning players from last year’s 18-win team include leading scorers Sandra Ribich (14-22–36), Hallie Klavu (13-21–34) and Megan Hattenberger (17-13–30), as well as Jorja Jusczak (5-8–13). In goal, the Rebels will benefit from the experience of returnee Mallory Hartl (1.64 GAA, .938 SV%), who played in every game last season and had over 650 saves.

Led by this experienced core, the Rebels are looking forward to another great season of determination, love and passion for the game. After a 3-1 loss to Breck to open the season, the Rebels looked impressive in beating Hopkins/Park 2-1, and Minneapolis 5-2.

Most recently, the Rebels defeated Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato 1-0 at home on an overtime goal by Ribich. The Rebels improved to 4-1 on the season with another overtime win in their next game, this time over Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 3-2, with Klavu scoring the game-winner.

Moose Lake defender Hallie Klavu. 

With three one-goal wins already, Moose Lake is preparing well for the many challenges they will face this season, none greater than by being in Section 7A, one of the toughest Class A sections in the state. Moose Lake's top competitor for a section championship will once again be Fawcett’s alma mater, Proctor/Hermantown.

Because the Moose Lake team lacks in numbers and depth, it makes it harder for them when it comes to competing with bigger programs such as the Mirage. But coach Fawcett sees the Rebels as a “very close knit family” and their determination and willingness to work hard from all the girls makes them a contender.

“The dedication the girls bring to the team, and being able to see their progress during the season and their hard work pay off,” is what Fawcett enjoys most.