With great goal-tending and a tough penalty kill, the Totino-Grace High School girls' hockey team defeated St. Paul United Tuesday night by a score of 3-1 to advance to the Section 4A finals.

The Eagles got off to an efficient start, scoring on their first shot attempt of the game, as senior forward Erika Berndt put in a terrific, wrap-around goal barely a minute-and-a-half into the first period.

Eagle goaltender Brittany Fussy made several great saves before finally conceding a goal to St. Paul United at the 13:23 mark. Then, with less than 10 seconds left in the period, Caroline Ponessa* scored a slap-shot goal, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead.

As in the opening period, the second period started out great for Totino-Grace, as senior Jill Mertz scored only 35 seconds into the period to increase the Eagles' lead to 3-1.

Totino-Grace was highly penalized in the second period, but successfully killed off four penalties with great team defense and goal-tending. The Eagles led United 3-1 at the end of two periods.

The final period was filled with more terrific goal-tending by Fussy, including many tough power-play and breakaway stops. While St. Paul United had several chances to get back in the game, they were unsuccessful and Totino-Grace held on to win by a final score of 3-1. The total shot count for the game was 37 to 31 in favor of Totino-Grace.

The Eagles will now face off against the South St. Paul Packers in the Section 4A finals Friday at 7:30pm at the St. Thomas Ice Arena at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights. 

*Editor’s Note: We have revised this story. It originally credited Shannon McFarlane with Totino-Grace's second goal, in accordance with the official announcement at the game. According to Eagles head coach Tom Peart, officials later reassigned credit for the goal to Caroline Ponessa.