FOND DU LAC — For the first time in five seasons, the Rock County Fury are headed to the WIAA state tournament. The Fury knocked off the Fond du Lac Warbirds 4-2 Feb. 28 at the Blue Line Family Ice Center.

“It was pure elation,” Albany junior Alyssa Knauf said. “We’ve been trying to get out of sectionals and to state for the past three years.”

After skating through a scoreless first period, the Warbirds (7-10-5) struck first in the second when Hattie Verstegen sent a pass from Tori Schmidt beyond the reach of Rock County goalie Olivia Cronin (Beloit Memorial) at the 8:52 mark. Less than six minutes later, the Fury (16-8) knotted it up as Sara Nerad (Janesville Craig) scored on a power play with assists from Anika Einbeck (Monroe) and Haley Knauf (Albany).

Just over two minutes later, with only 21 seconds left in the second period, Alyssa Knauf went unassisted into the back of the net, putting the Fury ahead 2-1.

Einbeck made it 3-1 less than three minutes into the third on another power play goal, with Haley Knauf and Sara Loerke (Beloit Memorial) assisting.

Fond du Lac made it interesting, with Verstegen scoring for the second time on the night just 45 seconds later. Try as they might, the Warbirds couldn’t sneak another shot past Cronin, who finished with 23 saves. With 7:21 left on the clock, Alyssa Knauf added an insurance goal, with Einbeck and sister Haley assisting. The Fury scored on two of their three power play opportunities and killed both penalties of their own. Rock County out-shot Fond du Lac 35-25 in the contest.

“Our power plays helped, and Alyssa’s goal did as well,” Haley Knauf said of her team taking over momentum in the second two periods.

Up next for Rock County is a familiar foe: Middleton Metro Lynx (21-3). The two Badger Conference squads split the season series and finished in a 3-way tie with Cap City Cougars (19-4) for the league title. The Lynx defeated the Cougars in the Sun Prairie sectional, 3-0.

“Our conference was super competitive this year,” Haley Knauf said. Alyssa said them going would be “a coin toss” with Metro Lynx “having the size, but if we work hard enough, we can beat them.”

Xavier’s co-op, the Fox Cities Stars (17-7), and Hudson (10-12-1) are the other two teams that advanced to the state meet. 

The Stars defeated Hudson 2-1 in their only meeting this season. The Fury lost to the Stars twice this year — 5-2 at Monroe Dec. 21 and then 6-1 at Black River Falls Dec. 27 in a holiday tournament. 

“Coming into the season, we had lower numbers than before and it didn’t seem like it was going to be the best year, but we kept working hard,” Haley Knauf said.

“And yet here we are, making it to state,” Alyssa Knauf said. 

Also known as the Green County Line, as well as the Hanson Line, in reference to the 1977 movie “Slap Shot,” the Knauf sisters and Einbeck have led the team in scoring in each of the past two seasons. The trio has played together for years, from youth hockey through high school, including with Team Wisconsin during the offseason.

“I’ve had a little time to prepare from sectionals that this next game could be my last in high school,” said Haley, who will play at Aurora University next season. She said she’s still soaking in the accomplishment of reaching state. “It’s amazing. After three years of trying to win the sectional final and make it to state, to finally do it, it feels great.”

Einbeck is third in the state in total points (58), nine behind Medford’s Emily Schafer (67), whose season is done. Einbeck is also second in assists (32) and tied for ninth in the state in goals (26). Alyssa and Haley Knauf are knotted up with 48 total points each, which is tied for seventh in the state. Cronin is tied for sixth in wins by a goalie (12), and 10th in save percentage (.926).

“A shout out to our coaches and our team for helping us have this great season,” Haley said. “Even the girls we played with two years ago when we went to sectionals that graduated, they were amazing and taught us so much in our first year on the team.”

The March 5 state semifinal against the Lynx will not only be the rubber match in the series, but also could be the last time the three play together on the ice.

“It’s going to be business as usual (this week). We’re going to play like it’s a must-win game, because it is,” Alyssa said.