MONROE — The Monroe hockey co-op fell to Badger Conference opponent McFarland 6-1 on senior night Friday, Dec. 8. 

Carson Kurschner, one of six seniors recognized that night, played his first game this season after breaking his collar bone in preseason. 

The defenseman made an immediate impact, assisting fellow senior Cole Buholzer for Monroe’s lone goal of the game. 

“I was very excited to return. It was eating at me mentally,” Kurschner said. “It was awesome to get back out on the ice with my teammates, and the assist just added to the awesomeness.”

The goal came on a power play with 1:28 left in the first period. The score trimmed McFarland’s lead to 4-1.

The Spartans scored six minutes into the game with a goal from JJ Blattner. McFarland then took a 4-0 lead with three goals in a span of two and a half minutes.

“We just needed to play faster,” Monroe head coach Berry Einbeck said. “Once we started to play faster and manage the puck better, we played well.”

McFarland extended its lead to 6-1 in the second period, which proved to be the final with an empty third from both sides.

Monroe had 25 shots on goal compared to McFarland’s 34. Cheesemaker goaltender Kyle Theorin tallied 28 saves for a .823 save percentage.

Lucas O’Hearn led McFarland with three points, all from assists. Spartan goalie Steve Hoang recorded 24 saves for a .960 save percentage.

GIRLS HOCKEY: ROCK COUNTY 7, BADGER LIGHTNING 3

PRAIRIE DU SAC — The Rock County Fury rolled the Badger Lightning on Dec. 7, 7-3.

Emma Kligora paced the Fury with two goals and two assists. Macy Murphy had a goal and three assists. Anna Cole had two assists, as did Ava Kligora, who also had a goal. Mya Roller, Sophia Ferrera and Maizy Fonseca all had a goal and an assist as well. Two of the Fury’s goals were on power plays, including Fonseca’s goal in the final minute of the first period. 

Jillian Traver saved 23 of 26 shots in net.

The Fury had just one penalty in the game, while the Badger Lightning had six penalties for 12 minutes.