Harper Artz

WASECA — Eighth-grader Harper Artz made her varsity hockey debut in style by staking Fairmont Area to an early 1-0 lead over Waseca by netting the first goal of her prep ice career Tuesday night.

Five different players, however, lit the lamp for the Bluejays to fuel a 5-2 Big South Conference victory over the visiting Cardinals during season-opening hockey action in Waseca.

Fairmont Area sophomore goalie Ilana Moeller turned away 30 of Waseca’s game-high 35 shots on goal to keep the Cardinals within striking distance throughout the contest.

Ilana Moeller filled the void between the pipes created by the absence of senior netminder Hadley Artz, who missed the game due to illness.

Harper Artz converted Corene Moeller’s assist into a 1-0 lead for the Cardinals 5:05 into the opening 17-minute period.

Makayla Forthun, however, netted the equalizer for Waseca off a pass from Madelyn Malecha just 1:20 later in the first frame.

Emma Keith tallied an unassisted goal 11:40 into the opening segment to build a 2-1 Bluejays’ lead.

Malecha and Cece Huttemier produced unassisted goals during the second period to extend Waseca’s margin to 4-1.

Katlyn Schueller accounted for the home team’s lone goal in the third period, while Bella Larson found the twine for the Cardinals during the final frame.

Fairmont Area (0-1) plays host to nonconference opponent Austin in its home-opener at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Martin County Arena in Fairmont.

Waseca (1-0) faces Visitation at 7:45 p.m. Thursday night at Saint Thomas Arena in a nonconference game.

Fairmont 1-0-1–2

Waseca 2-2-1–5

Scoring Plays

1st Period

FMT–Harper Artz (Corene Moeller), 5:05.

WAS–Makayla Forthun (Madelyn Malecha), 6:25.

WAS–Emma Keith (unassisted), 11:40.

2nd Period

WAS–Madelyn Malecha (unassisted), 8:38.

WAS–Cece Huttemier (unassisted), 9:56.

3rd Period

WAS–Katlyn Schueller (unassisted), 10:57.

FMT–Bella Larson (unassisted), 12:58.

Saves: Ilana Moeller (FMT) 9-17-4–30.

Shots on goal: Fairmont 16; Waseca 35.