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The Wildcat girls' hockey team had a disappointing end to a promising season, just missing a second straight trip to the state tournament. Questionable refereeing and late season off-ice issues contributed to the loss to Eveleth-Gilbert in the section championship game. The Wildcats finished with an impressive 18-9 record overall, playing a tough nonconference schedule. The ended up with a record of 9-5 in the North Suburban Conference, good for third place behind AA powerhouses Benilde-St. Margaret's and Irondale. The girls also beat conference rival Totino Grace twice this season, led by seven goals and three assists from Megan Lushanko.

The good news is that that the Wildcats will return the core of their talented squad next season. Marisa Peterson, a top player as a sophomore who missed the season with an ACL injury, will return for her senior season in 2011-2012. In addition to a large group of upperclassmen next year - nine seniors and three juniors who saw significant playing time this season, along with Peterson -- the Wildcats will sport a group of sophomores who will solidify the lineup: forward Allison Borgstrom, who made All-Conference this season as a freshman; Rikki Waldoch, who played a regular shift as a defenseman all season; Rheanna Duncan, who showed off a little bit of her potential with a nice goal in the section championship game; and Amanda Shoquist, who gives the Wildcats some depth at the goaltender position. Amy Budde also saw some playing time as an eighth grader this season.

The Wildcats say goodbye to three graduating seniors: fiery defenseman Mary Burch and forwards Leah Freundschuh and Danielle Tossey.

The Wildcats certainly have the talent to not only make it to the state tournament next season, but to make a significant impact in the tournament. In order to achieve that goal, they'll need to rediscover the team unity that carried them to the Excel Center in 2009-2010.

2010-2011 AWARDS

Academic Awards

Section 7A Team Academic Champions

North Suburban Team Academic Champions

Academic All-Conference (Seniors Only) - Mary Burch, Danielle Tossey

TEAM AWARDS

Most Improved - Rheanna Duncan

Hardest Worker - Mary Burch

Total Points Leader - Megan Lushanko

Plus/Minus Leader - Katie Johnson

Most Valuable Player - Jamie Dobosenski

Rookie of the Year - Rikki Waldoch

Most Coachable - Allison Borgstrom

Four Year Participation Award (Seniors Only) - Mary Burch, Danielle Tossey, Leah Freundschuh

Hobey Baker Sportsmanship Award - Mary Burch

STATE AWARDS

All-State Honorable Mention - Megan Lushanko

CONFERENCE AWARDS

North Suburban All-Conference

Katie Johnson

Megan Lushanko

Allison Borgstrom

North Suburban All-Conference Honorable Mention

Lauren Monson

Jamie Dobosenski

LETTER WINNERS

Eighth Grader - Amy Budde

Freshmen - Rikki Waldoch, Rheanna Duncan, Amanda Shoquist, Allison Borgstrom

Sophomores -- Allison Ives, Miranda Krumm, Delaney Doriott

Juniors -- Katie Sorenson, Miranda Beimert, Anna Petersen, Kelsey Sorenson, Katie Johnson , Laura Monson, Megan Lushanko , Ashlee Ricci, Jamie Dobosenski

Seniors -- Mary Burch, Leah Freundschuh, Danielle Tossey

Managers -- Marisa Peterson, Mikaela DelGiudice, Lauren Underland

STAT LEADERS

Goals - Megan Lushanko: 36

Assists - Megan Lushanko, Katie Johnson (tied): 25

Total Points - Megan Lushanko: 61

Plus/Minus - Katie Johnson: 22

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