Cotter girls to face BIG challenge vs. Hayfield

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Cotter’s Mary Morgan (5) attempts a pass to Mikala Nelton (43) during Thursday’s victory over Zumbrota-Mazeppa

David vs Goliath, USA hockey vs Soviets, Rambers vs Vikings?

When the Cotter girls will travel to the Rochester Civic Center for their second round playoff game, facing the Hayfield Vikings, they’ll be in a familiar position: looking up at their opponents.

“Hayfield is big at all positions. We need everyone on the boards,” head coach Pat Bowlin said. “We must handle their pressure. They will pressure and double the ball.  We must match or exceed their aggressiveness.”

The Ramblers (17-9), #6 in the section, outlasted Zumbrota-Mazeppa last Thursday 46-42 at the John Nett Recreation Center’s Gostomski Gymnasium. The Cougars had a chance to tie, but senior forward Mikala Nelton prevented the post entry pass and sealed the victory.

“Defensively the take a lot of 3 pt attempts, so we have to get out and defend the 3,” senior forward Kirsten Weifenbach said. “This is the first time we have played them this year, but we know they are pretty tall across their line-up.”

“Offensively, we are just looking to score any way we can, sometimes it comes off steals from our defense,” Weifenbach added.

Cotter has played gamely since losing leading scorer Gabby Bowlin, the loss of her offense has forced new roles on her teammates.

“I think everybody has had to get away from locking into a pass first mindset and we need to look to score for ourselves more and get to the basket and draw fouls,” Weifenbach said.

The game is Wednesday, March 2, at the Rochester Civic Center at 7:30 PM .