If one word needed to be picked to describe the Cap City Cougar Club hockey girls team this season, the best fit would be “grit”.

The program, as many others, has had to decipher an everchanging route to a season. The co-op includes 2 Madison school district schools in Madison East and Madison LaFollete, as well as Sun Prairie, DeForest and Waunakee. Prior to season start in November, it was requested the season be delayed since the Madison athletes were not allowed to participate while their school was virtual. When that request was denied, high school team practice was planned with cohorts of 10 players per half sheet of ice with masks and distancing.  Meanwhile, club teams were being formed in the area and girls were getting offers to play for other teams. After just 2 high school practices,  Dane County was shut down and permission was granted for the high school season to have a delayed start. Which left most of the players with no hockey option, so the Cougar Club hockey team was formed with girls from Sun Prairie, Waunakee, LaFollete, Stoughton, Oregon and Deforest.

Perseverance may have gotten the Cougars to Monroe Slice Ice Arena last Friday night, but they weren’t satisfied with just having a season.

Rock County Fury’s Emma Kilgora scored the team’s first 2 goals, followed by goal by Olivia Combs to end the first period on top 3-0.

Fury’s Anna Melone score quickly in the second period to put them up 4-0.

Many teams being down by 4 goals may have thrown in the towel, but not this club team.

Marli Davenport with assist from Georgia Rae Samuelson with 10:11 to play in the second period got the Cougars on the scoreboard.

As she has done all season, senior Amanda Bauer  led the team to 2 more goals to bring the game score to 4-3. Alexa Bartels with assist from Ava Segersten with 11:12 in third tied up the game.

The game had minimal penalties, with just 1 for Cougars and 2 for Rock County.

During the Fury’s second penalty was when Bauer found Rachel Robbins on the blue line with 6:21 remaining for a slapshot goal to put the Cougars up 5-4.  Samuelson scored on empty net with 21 seconds remaining to put the finishing touches on this spectacular game.

The Cougars have been fortunate to have not one, but 2 outstanding goalies for the season with junior Lexi Holman and sophomore Izzy Hahn.  

Defenders Brooke Ayres, Olivia Kaminsky, Jenna Klonsinski and Rachel Robbins helped to hold the Fury scoreless for the remaining 2 periods.