Rochester John Marshall High School Athletics

Halverson is not only the Rockets’ least penalized player, she’s their leading scorer and is likely on the ice more than anyone on the team aside from goalie Anysia Heimer.

The fourth-year varsity regular has quietly piled up points in bunches this season, and throughout her career. She has 34 goals and 51 points this season for the 5-20-0 Rockets, who face rival Rochester Mayo at 7 p.m. tonight in a first-round game of the Section One, Class AA playoffs.

“It’s crazy how fast the last four years went,” Halverson said. “It feels like just yesterday I was a freshman dressing (varsity) for the first time.”

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• Century has another strong 1-2 punch. In 2013-14, the Aney sisters hit the 100-point mark in one season (Jessie 51-58—109, Katie 51-49—100). A year later, Jessie had 96 points and teammate Frankie Mickelson had 68. This year, Tori Johnson (26-34—60) and Kylie Lund (30-11—41) have been the team’s dynamic duo. Lund is 12th in the state in goals. Johnson is fourth in assists, 20th in goals and 5th in total points.

* Mayo relying on Priest. Sophomore forward Devynn Priest accounts for a greater percentage of her team’s goals than any player in the section. Priest has scored 25 of Mayo’s 51 goals (49 percent) and she has 31 of the Spartans’ 91 points (34 percent).

* John Marshall is gaining steam. JM won twice in its first 20 games. The Rockets’ continued hard work is paying off late, though, as they won three of their final five regular-season games. Gustavus-bound senior Ally Halverson was outstanding during that five-game stretch, scoring 10 goals and adding four assists.

Morgan Sammon scored with exactly six minutes remaining in the third period Friday to help Rochester John Marshall end its regular season on a high note and take some positive feelings into the Section 1AA girls hockey playoffs next week.

Sammon’s goal gave the Rockets their second victory against a crosstown rival in as many nights, beating Rochester Mayo 6-5 at Graham Arena IV. The victory came on the heels of JM’s come-from-behind 6-4 victory against Rochester Century on Thursday night, a game in which JM trailed 4-2 in the third period.

Friday, the Rockets were the team that let a big lead slip away. They led 5-2 after two periods, but Mayo scored three times in the first 8:28 of the third period – including a pair of goals by Devynn Priest – to tie the score 5-5.

Century controlled most of the first two periods, but a goal by JM senior Morgan Sammon with 4:34 to go in the second shifted the momentum to the Rockets. Sammon’s goal pulled the Rockets within 4-2 after two periods.

JM carried that momentum into the third period and rattled off four goals in a span of 6 minutes, 23 seconds to turn what once was a three-goal deficit into a two-goal victory. Senior Ally Halverson – who had a five-point game – scored twice in the third and classmate Lauren Hugeback notched the game-tying goal, as all three JM seniors scored in the game.

“We played well defensively, just couldn’t get any offensive pressure,” JM coach Josh Chapman said.

Rockets goalie Anysia Heimer made 51 saves, as JM was outshot 57-7.

“Anysia had a great game,” Chapman said. “Most of those shots were heavily contested, lots of bodies in front of her. It was a good test heading into (this) week, with two big crosstown games.”

Ally Halverson scored both of the Rockets’ goals, while Kinsey Torgrimson, Greta Freed and Ashley Koehler had an assist each. Anysia Heimer made 47 saves.

“The girls played hard (Thursday) night,” JM coach Josh Chapman said. “We need to start putting our chances in the net and protect ours better. The effort is there and the chances are there. Anysia played well again for us. We have a couple big games coming up and hopefully can end on a high note.”

Halverson scored four of JM's five goals, bringing her season total to 28. More importantly, the Rockets (2-12-0 Big Nine, 3-18-0 overall) gained some confidence by picking up their first win since beating Worthington on Dec. 28.

"The girls played well; our first period was our best all-around period in a while," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "Even though we're at the bottom of the conference, this is a big two points."

Halverson scored twice in the first period, then Albert Lea scored twice in the second to tie the score 2-2. But Halverson netted the game winner 4:23 into the third period. Morgan Sammon scored five minutes later for a 4-2 lead, and Halverson capped the scoring with her fourth goal, with 25 seconds to go.

"Ally was great again, scoring four goals," Chapman said. "Ashley Koehler had a great game as well. Even though she didn’t get on the score sheet she did so many other things well that helped the team. Anysia Heimer (24 saves) had a good game in net. Made some big saves."

Both teams scored one goal in each period of regulation, including a power-play goal from JM's Greta Freed with 3:20 to go in the third period that tied the score 3-3 and forced OT.

Kate Holtz also scored for the Packers, while Ally Halverson and Morgan Sammon scored for JM. Sammon's goal is her first of the season.

JM outshot the Packers 29-26. Anysia Heimer made 22 saves for JM, Shelby Davidson-Newkirk made 26 stops for the Packers.

"It’s a frustrating loss," Chapman said. "We need to be beating these teams that we know we can. We need to play our game all three periods. We can't take any shifts off and need to make better decisions on 'D.' It was nice to see Morgan get on the scoresheet."

Anysia Heimer made 45 saves for the Rockets (1-10-0 conference, 2-16-0 overall). Rachel Bielenberg stopped 17 shots in the win for the Raiders (9-0-0, 11-8-0).

"We played a good Northfield team. It might be the best team top to bottom we’ve seen," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "But the girls never quit. We battled and finally got a couple at the end. Ally had another solid game on both ends of the ice. The coaches were happy with the effort."

There's a reason college coaches wanted Ally Halverson to commit to play for their teams.

And there's a reason Halverson will be a strong player for Gustavus Adolphus college in the coming years. Her knack for scoring was on display Friday, as the Rochester John Marshall senior scored six goals and added three assists for a nine-point game in JM's 11-8 win against Worthington at the Austin Holiday Tournament.

"Ally had an outstanding game," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "She was all over the ice and played well defensively, as well."

Greta Freed and Kinsey Torgrimson continued their strong play, too, for JM (2-15-0 overall). Freed had two goals and four assists, and Torgrimson scored twice in the win.

Ashley Koehler also had a goal for the Rockets, who had nine players record at least one point.

Seventh-grader Emily Hendrickson stopped 23 shots in her first varsity start to earn her first victory.

"We had good effort from a lot of players (Thursday)," Mayo coach Mike McCormack said. "Makayla was strong in the nets and our defense kept JM from getting clean rebound chances. Devynn had a large number of scoring chances and converted on four of them. Every player got into the game so there were a lot of smiles."

Mayo led 1-0 after one period, then pulled away with four goals in the second. Alexa Hruska had Mayo's other goal, and Jasmin Geike had two assists.

Goalie Anysia Heimer made 14 saves in the loss for the Rockets (1-15-0 overall).

"We let one girl dictate the game and it hurt us," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "We had plenty of good chances offensively, we just couldn't find the back of the net."

Rochester John Marshall went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the Big Nine Conference, but a late bounce went against the Rockets in a 6-5 girls hockey loss at the Rochester Recreation Center on Wednesday.

Ally Halverson scored for JM with 50 seconds to go in the third period to tie the score 5-5.

With the game appeared headed for overtime, Faribault's Haley Lang re-directed a shot past JM goalie Anysia Heimer (33 saves) with 10 seconds to go, giving the Falcons the win.

"We played one of our best games of the season," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "We got down but stuck with it and almost pulled out a win. Everyone played really well and did their jobs. It was nice to see the girls scoring goals and having fun. The smiles were nice to see."

Halverson had a goal and three assists for JM (1-14-0 overall), while Greta Freed had two goals and an assist, Kinsey Torgrimson had a goal and an assist, and Katherine Wheeler scored a goal.

Senior Ally Halverson – who earlier last week announced her commitment to play college hockey at Gustavus Adolphus – assisted on JM’s lone goal (scored by Greta Freed). The assist was the 100th point of Halverson’s high school career. Halverson leads JM in goals (12) and points (16) this season.

Anysia Heimer had 38 saves for JM.

“Anysia had a solid game, faced a lot of good shots,” JM coach Josh Chapman said. “Ashley Koehler had a really strong game defensively and created plays by working hard in the D zone.”

Kylie Lund had a big game for Century, recording a hat trick and an assist. Victoria Johnson and Ella Lentz added a goal and three assists each, and Macy Lund made 24 saves to get the win in goal.

Greta Freed and Ally Halverson scored for the Rockets.

"Another rocky period hurt us. We came out slow and it cost us," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "We didn’t pressure the puck like we talked about before the game and took too many penalties. We got better as the game went on but it was too little, too late.

"We need to find a way to play all three periods and squeak out a win. Hopefully having a few days off will get us rested for the second half of the season."

Then Owatonna broke the game open with three second-period goals en route to a 6-1 victory against the Rockets in a Big Nine Conference girls hockey game on Thursday at Four Seasons Centre.

“These losses ... we are right in the game then we have a bad period and that’s it,” JM coach Josh Chapman said. “We have to start playing three periods.”

Ally Halverson scored the lone goal for JM (1-6-0 Big Nine, 1-11-0 overall), an unassisted goal with 1:51 to go in the first period.

Lauren Hugeback and Greta Freed scored in the first period for the Rockets, who led 2-0 at the first intermission. But West rebounded with three goals in the second period and three in the third to pull away.

JM outshot West 39-26, but had trouble solving West goalie Sarah Olsen after the first period. West is 4-1-1 in the Big Nine and 5-1-1 overall.

"It was another winnable game and we walk away with a loss," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "We had a great first period. Everyone was flying, doing their jobs and playing well in the 'D' zone

O/PC (5-4-0 overall) led 1-0 after one period, then tacked on three goals in the second period to pull away.

"We just couldn’t get anything going offensively," Rockets coach Josh Chapman said. "We need to be more consistent. We need to play all three periods and all three zones."

"We had an exciting start to the first period," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "Both of the teams went back and forth and everything was going in for everyone. Unfortunately we stopped doing that after the first."

Ally Halverson scored twice for the Rockets, Greta Freed had a goal and an assist, and Ashley Koehler had one assist.

"We couldn’t get anything going after (the first period)," Chapman said. "We had a few chances that we couldn’t bury, but other than that it was all Faribault. Once we figure out our 'D' zone we will be OK. That’s where we struggle the most.

"Ally had a great game. Lauren Hugeback has been playing really well for us on (defense). Greta Freed was flying (Thursday) night. Unfortunately we just couldn’t put anything together."

"The girls played really well; we did everything except put the puck in the net," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "It’s frustrating putting up (58) shots and coming out with the loss, but the way we played you can’t be mad about that.

"We had plenty of chances all night. Makayla won the game for them. She made some huge saves the last couple minutes."

Priest gave Mayo a 1-0 lead 7:03 into the game, but Ally Halverson responded seven seconds later to tie it 1-1. Ashley Koehler's goal at 4:57 of the second gave the Rockets a 2-1 lead.

"She walked the center off the draw and put it in the net," Chapman said of Koehler. "She played a good game on both ends."

“Another game that got away from us,” JM coach Josh Chapman said. “We were right there with Faribault the whole game. We had great opportunities just couldn’t bury them.”

Anysia Heimer made 28 saves for JM, which is off until playing at Mayo on Dec. 4 at Graham Arena.

“Anysia had a great game. The goals they scored were not on her,” Chapman said. “She made some big saves.”

See the complete article in the PB.

After battling Hopkins/Park to a 1-1 tie after one period, the John Marshall girls hockey team fell apart defensively, giving up four goals in the second period and falling 6-1.

Ally Halverson scored JM’s only goal, with an assist from Gretta Freed.

“Once again, one bad period for us leads to a loss,” said JM head coach Josh Chapman. “We played well for two periods, but we have to be better in front of our own net. Too many goals from the top of the crease or back door.”

Red Wing (1-2-0 Big Nine Conference, 1-4-0 overall) had scored a total of just two goals in its first four games this season, but it matched that in the first period on Wednesday, as Eliza DiNatale and Madison Snyder scored.

JM’s Ally Halverson and Ashley Koehler scored in between, giving the Rockets a 2-1 lead for a brief time of 1 minute, 14 seconds. Koehler, Greta Freed, Josie Nichols and Lauren Hugeback had one assist each for JM.

“Lauren Hugeback played a great game on D for us,” Chapman said, “the Best game of the season for her. She looked confident with the puck, had nice opportunities to score. She made good rushes and was smart with the puck.”

Saturday, there were few downs, mostly ups. JM scored four times in the first period en route to a 6-2 victory against Austin in a Big Nine Conference girls hockey game at the Rochester Recreation Center.

Erin Bickler gave Austin a 1-0 lead 5:41 in, but it was all JM after that.

The Rockets’ top line accounted for all of their goals, led by senior Ally Halverson, who had a hat trick and one assist. Ashley Koehler scored twice and Greta Freed once. Freed also had two assists.

Minneapolis got off to a strong start and didn't let up until it defeated Rochester John Marshall 12-3 in a non-conference girls hockey game on Friday at the Rochester Recreation Center.

Minneapolis scored four goals in each period and outshot JM 51-20.

The Rockets received one goal each from Greta Freed, Ashley Koehler and defender Alix Gary, who also had an assist. Gary's goal was her first as a varsity player.

JM's top line was strong, accounting for all of its goals. Ally Halverson scored twice — both short-handed — as did Ashley Koehler, and Greta Freed had one assist.

Anysia Heimer made 18 saves, as JM outshot the Royals 37-23.

"I thought the girls played well (Friday)," JM coach Josh Chapman said. "A couple mistakes ended up in the back of our net and too many penalties. But overall we played well for our first game.

"It was a good test for us right off the bat. I thought we were two pretty even teams. Our first line played great. Everyone worked hard, just need to fix some things in the (defensive) zone."

Lauren Hugeback and Josie Nichols return to lead the defensive corps for JM. That duo combined for 18 points last season, the first varsity seasons with JM for each of them. They’ll be joined by another veteran, senior Mara Dealing, who is returning to play hockey after taking a couple of seasons off. Eighth-grader Alix Gary is also expected to contribute defensively.

“We are hoping one of our strengths this year is our D,” coach Josh Chapman said. “We have Lauren and Josie returning this year. They had great first high school seasons last year. Mara took a couple years off but is back and will help us out back there. Alix Gary is also a good strong D who came to us from playing U12 last year.”

Up front, the Rockets’ top line of Ally Halverson, Ashley Koehler and Greta Freed will once again be expected to provide scoring. Those three led the team in scoring a year ago, combining for 40 goals and 65 points