Winhawk roundup: Goettelman has career night against Rochester Century

ROCHESTER — The shorthanded Winona Senior High School girls basketball team came up a little bit short Tuesday night in a Big 9 Conference game on the road. 

Izzy Goettelman scored a career-high 22 points but the Winhawks fell to Rochester Century 67-54. 

Century used momentum from a late basket in the first half to turn a tight game into a 50-30 lead before the Winhawks (0-2, 0-2) fought back to get within eight points with less than 6 minutes to play. But the Panthers (1-2, 1-2) made the plays down the stretch to pull away.

Goettelman was 7 of 15 from the floor and 6 of 10 from the free-throw line. She hit two 3-pointers and grabbed three rebounds.

“I just felt more confident tonight,” Goettelman said. “I felt like we were passing it well and making sure everyone had the chance to get open. I just felt like I had the hot hand tonight.”

Julia Kronebusch stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Marquetta Berlin-Burns — a day after battling a stomach bug — chipped in nine points and three rebounds.

“I just had to tell myself I was going to be OK,” said Berlin-Burns, the school record holder in the 100-meter dash. “I wanted to be good for my team.” 

Winona returns to action Friday night at home against defending section champion Austin. Game time is approximately 7:30 p.m. on Bruce Reeck Court. 

Boys hockey

Albert Lea 5, Winona 2: Matt Thesing and Roman Grulkowski each scored for the Winhawks (1-1, 0-1) in their Big 9 opener.

Thesing’s power-play goal was assisted by Sam Buerck. Avery Prodzinski and Austin King-Henke assisted on Grulkowsi’s goal. 

Campbell Cichosz had two goals and an assist for Albert Lea. 

Alex Benson made 53 saves for Winona. 

It was Winona’s first game action since a 4-2 win over Waconia to open the season Nov. 22. Thesing and Grulkowski each scored twice in that one. 

The Winhawks return to action at 7 p.m. Thursday against Owatonna at Bud King Ice Arena. 

Girls hockey

Winona JV 8, Rochester Mayo 0: In the first home game for the new co-op, the Winhawks blanked the Spartans on Monday night.