Onalaska traveled to Sun Prairie for the WIAA girls’ sectional three semifinals.  The teams had played twice during the season with the Sun Prairie (Cap City) Cougars having won both games by a 2-1 final.

The game started as the fans expected, fast and contesting for every loose puck.  The first period found the players playing a physical hockey game, but only one penalty was called and it was for tripping.  This penalty proved to be a non-factor as the Hilltoppers kept the game tied at zero as the penalty expired.  The Cougars got on the board at the 9:54 mark of the period, when Colleen Milligan scored with Jada Ward and Annika Johnson assisting.  The period ended with Sun Prairie leading 1-0.  Dannhoff finished the period with 8 saves for Onalaska, while Thornton had 2 saves for Sun Prairie.

Sun Prairie bumped their lead to 2 at 1:51 of the second period, when freshman Olivia Thompson scored her first high school goal with Zephryn Jager and Carson Sheridan being credited with assists.  Jada Ward picked up her fourth goal of the post season with 7:26 showing on the clock with an assist from Colleen Milligan.  Taylor Thornton collected 7 saves in the period, while Skylar Dannhoff stopped 5 shots.  The Cougars held a 3-0 advantage at the end of two periods.

The Hilltoppers started the third period on the power play.  Taylor Monroe capitalized on the opportunity scoring at 1:16 of the third with an assist from Jaldyn Groshek.  The proved to be the last tally put on the board by either team.  Dannhoff finished the game with a total of 23 saves compared to 16 total saves for Thornton.

Saturday evening, the Rock County Fury will travel to Sun Prairie to challenge the Cougars to represent sectional three in the state tournament.  Both teams are looking for their second state appearance.  Rock County was there last year, while the Cougars were there in 2011.