Photos by Arnie Hamel

Freshman forward Ava Tibodeau (5) crashed the net during the Cougars' 3-2 victory over Delano/Rockford at the Herb Brooks Holiday Classic in Blaine.

Cougars Hungry for More

Following up on their state tournament season a year ago, the Mankato East Cougars are looking to make another run

After a Section 2A championship and a trip to state last season, Mankato East head coach Amber Prange wants to keep her players focused as they try for a return to St. Paul.

" ‘Stay Humble, Stay Hungry,’ is the quote on team bracelets we had made,” said Prange. “Our girls work hard every day at practice, and we just want to continue to push the motto that nothing will be easy or given to them this season.”

Since last season’s 22-7-0 run, the Cougars have stayed on a roll this season, compiling a 10-3-0 record and taking third place at the Herb Brooks Holiday Classic in Blaine.

Last year, the Cougars made their fourth state tournament appearance (including one appearance when they were combined with Mankato West in 2008).

Coach Prange explains that the team’s goals have stayed the same, but they want to earn every step of it.

Seniors Anna Rader and McKenzie Keller have been key players for Mankato East. Rader has 317 saves this year between the pipes, and recently made her 1,000th career save.

Senior forward McKenzie Keller has 86 goals and 159 points in her five-year high school career. 

Keller (11-11–22) leads the offense, along with junior forward Jess Eykyn (10-4–14). The explosive pair combined for 66 goals and 113 points a year ago and have picked up right where they left off.

The Cougars have a unique situation, as they lost no seniors to graduation last year. This puts the Cougars at an advantage, as all their players have state tournament experience.

The Cougars ended the first half of the season at the Herb Brooks Classic, where they went 2-1 during the weekend and earned third place. Their single loss was 3-2 in overtime to Duluth Marshall, currently ranked 10th in Class A.

Mankato East senior Trinity Jackson (27) eludes Delano/Rockford defender Ellie Chock (8) at the Herb Brooks Holiday Classic. East prevailed 3-2. 

Mankato East rebounded the next day by edging Luverne 2-1 in the third place game. It was East’s second one-goal win over Luverne this season. On Dec. 10, the Cougars faced Luverne in Mankato and had a thrilling, 4-3 win.

The Cougars were down 3-1 eight minutes into the third period, before a goal from eighth grader Alexis Erickson and another goal a minute later from sophomore Ashley Fischer tied the score.

Freshman Ava Tibodeau scored the game-winning goal four minutes into overtime to deliver the Cougars a dramatic, 4-3 win.

Ava Tibodeau scored the overtime game-winner in a dramatic, 4-3 win over Luverne on Dec. 10. 

Prange explained that the first Luverne game was a test of the team’s mental and physical strength. “After Luverne scored their third goal in the middle of the third period, our girls could have easily given up and the score could've ended 5-1,” she said.

“But we had some kids step up and put a few pucks in the net as the period went on that put us right back in the game. It was a great experience to be on the bench for, and watch play out.”

With a strong showing over the holidays and a probable high seed in Section 2A, the Cougars have a solid shot at another state tournament appearance this year.

Lauren McQuillan can be reached at: lmcquillan2023@gmail.com