Empowers Performance Outlasts Trash Panda to Cap Off Grueling Doubleheader

Braemar Arena – Edina, MN | July 31, 2025 — In the final matchup of a jam-packed Dangle League slate at Braemar Arena, Empowers Performance dug deep to earn a gutsy 5-4 victory over Trash Panda, wrapping up their second game of the night in thrilling fashion.

Coming off a narrow win earlier in the evening over Performance Office Papers, Empowers showed no signs of fatigue despite a short turnaround. The win propels them to 4-3 on the season, keeping pace with league-leading Hepp’s Salt and maintaining their hold on second place in the standings. Trash Panda, who entered the night at 2-1-1, falls to 2-2-1 after the defeat, yet are even in points with Empowers at 8. 

First Half: Trading Blows

The game opened with a strong push from Trash Panda, who jumped ahead at 4:31 on a goal from Brynn Spreiter (Dodge County) with an assist from Delaney Miller (Minnetonka).  Trash Panda responded  on a Julia Gerdes (Andover) goal, set up by Sydney Burnevik (Champlin Park/Coon Rapids).  But a little over a minute later Empowers responded with urgency as Spreiter scored her second of the half with 3:24 reamining in it.  Assists  were credited to from Alexa Van Straaten (Dodge County)  and Angie Cody (Holy Family)—to give Empowers a 2-1 lead at the break.  They raced up and down the ice with purpose all half and seeing the energy and push from Empowers in their second game of the evening was inspiring. 

Second Half: Chaos and Clutch Plays

Empowers extended the lead to 3-1 thanks to Maysie Koch’s (Dodge County) tally at 17:22, but Trash Panda wouldn't go quietly. Goals from Gabby Lopez (Orono) (13:48) and Taylor Schreifels (Andover) (4:57) drew the game even at 3-3, shifting the momentum in favor of the well-rested Panda squad.

With tensions rising and clock ticking down, Harper Wieneke (Maple Grove) netted what looked to be the dagger for Empowers at 1:37 to make it 4-3. However, Trash Panda answered almost immediately—just 34 seconds later—as Sydney Boss Krohn (Shattuck St. Mary's) banged home the tying goal from Gerdes and Schreifels at 1:03.

But Empowers wasn’t done. The game went to a shootout, and went on to win giving Empowers the emotional win in their second game of the night.

Empowers’ resilience in a high-tempo doubleheader puts the rest of the Dangle League on notice, while Trash Panda, despite the loss, showed they belong among the contenders in what’s shaping up to be a wild playoff race.

3 Stars of the Game:

1. Bryn Spreiter (Empowers) – 2 first-half goals to flip momentum early.

2. Julia Gerdes (Trash Panda) – 1G, 1A, driving force in Panda offense.

3. Claire Hills (Empowers) – 16 saves in 54 minutes and perfect in the shootout under pressure.