Hepp's, Empowers Clinch Top Two Seeds With Wins

Edina, MN-- Hepp's Salt Co and Empowers each delivered an impressive performance on Wednesday night to clinch the top two seeds for the Dangle League playoffs next week. Hepp's scored six unaswered goals while Empowers rallied for the win. Recaps below.

HEPP'S SALT CO 6, TRADITION MORTGAGE 2

After an unusually slow start, Hepp's battled their way back for a 6-2 win over tradition Mortgage.

For the first time this season, Hepp’s Salt Co goaltender Layla Hemp (Minnetonka) allowed a goal. Hannah Grabianowski’s shot from a tough angle beat Hemp on the left pad to give Tradition Mortgage a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, a goal from Addy Cowan (Holy Family) doubled the lead to two. 

Hepp’s would quickly find their groove, however. They scored a trio of goals to close the first half: Makayla Moran (Apple Valley), Lulu Rucinski (Benilde-SM), and Ruby Rauk (Minnetonka) all found the back of the net to give Hepp’s a lead at the end of one. 

The Hepp’s offensive onslaught continued in the second half while Ida Huber took over in goal. She stopped all 7 shots for her team. When all was said and done, Hepp’s officially clinched the #1 spot in next week’s playoffs with six unanswered goals in a 6-2 win. 

EMPOWERS PERFORMANCE 4, PERFORMANCE OFFICE PAPERS 2

Empowers Performance rode its youngest players to a 4-2 win in Dangle League action Wednesday night. 

Class of 2027 forwards Jaycee Chatleain (Hill-Murray), June Semling (Champlin Park), and Ella Sharkey (Holy Family) combined for two goals and three assists in the win. 

Semling scored the game-winning goal with 8 minutes remaining on an assist from Chatleain, who factored in the first three goals of the game—including her third goal of the season. 

Chatleain’s high school teammate Regan Berglund iced it into the empty net in the final few minutes. 

Performance Office Papers held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 as Kendall Hassler (Benilde-St. Margaret’s) got the scoring started just over one minute into the game and Ella Nonweiler (Holy Family) scored a power-play goal in the second half. 

Kayla Swartout (Holy Family) made 7 saves on 8 shots in her one half of action, and was followed by Kaydence Roeske (River Lakes) who made 8 saves on 10 shots. 

Layla Hemp (Minnetonka) made 18 saves on 20 shots while filling in for Empowers in net—as she earned her second win of the night. 

The playoffs officially begin a week from tonight on Wednesday, August 14, and we will get a feeling of deja vu- the exact same matchups from tonight will be the opening round of the playoffs. #1 Hepp’s Salt Co will face #4 Tradition Mortgage, while #2 Empowers Performance battles #3 Performance Office Papers.