Staff Photo by Jake Olson: Fairmont sophomore forward Mariel Parish slices by the South Central defense in an attempt to score during the first period of Thursday night's contest at Martin County Arena.

FAIRMONT – Fairmont High School girls hockey head coach Aaron Haycraft has always preached a complementary style of play during his first two seasons at the helm, emphasizing the importance of both sides of the ice working together as the main key to success.

Thursday night was yet another instance of this team dynamic against South Central. Fairmont took down the Flyers 11-0 at Martin County Arena, scoring three or more goals in each period and pitching the team’s third shutout in four games.

Sophomore forward Alexis Haycraft tallied three goals on the evening, securing her fourth consecutive hat trick and moving her season goal total to 13. Freshman Halyn Haycraft and sophomore Lauren Bettin each had two goals apiece, with Bettin also recording three assists.

Sophomore goalkeeper Alexis Sundeen notched six saves on the evening, making it 23 straight shots on goal she has blocked.

“It just felt like another good team win, which we are very excited about,” Aaron Haycraft said. “What we are most excited about is that we are continuing to play our game. Continuing to play our speed, not letting our opponent dictate our style of play.”

The only hiccup the Cardinals found on the evening was in the initial five minutes of the first period. Despite peppering South Central goalie Lila Pavlic with a handful of open looks at the net, Fairmont couldn’t capitalize on the early opportunities.

Sophomore Mariel Parish finally broke the ice with 11:56 left to play in the initial period. Receiving a pass from Halyn Haycraft on the baseline, the forward ripped the puck past the net to put her team on the board.

“I thought that we shot with the intent to score,” Aaron Haycraft said. “So that was all there. We even crashed the rebounds there, too. So very happy with the way they played and attacked the net.”

Alexis Haycraft got her night started six minutes later in the period with a goal of her own after a face-off on Fairmont’s side of the ice. The puck found its way right in front of the forward after the initial juggle for possession. After a quick slap of the stick, the Cardinals found themselves up 2-0.

Fairmont scored two more goals in the final three minutes of the period after showing the ultimate unselfishness that Aaron Haycraft’s team plays with. Bettin and sophomore Mariel Parish each scored in 30 seconds, using nifty passes from Alexis Haycraft and Kynlee Beemer to take the Cardinals to a four-goal lead entering the first intermission.

The Cardinals flipped the switch again early in the second period, coming out with an aggressive mindset determined to attack the Flyers’ defense. Immediately off the face off, Halyn Haycraft found sophomore Kennedy Murphy after the Cardinals won the initial puck control. Murphy delivered a strike past the glove of Pavlic to set the tone for the next 16 minutes.

“Part of being mature is understanding that, while it is a 51-minute game, there are certain situations in there that we focus on,” Aaron Haycraft said. “Whether that’s the first two minutes of every period, the last two minutes of every period, anytime there, you take your level and notch it up.”

Fairmont continued its scoring ways throughout the rest of the period. Alexis Haycraft found the net for the second time of the evening with nine minutes to play in the period, collecting a pass at center ice from Bettin, forcing the puck into the net and adding on to the lead.

Freshman Taylor Truesdell finished things off with her first goal of the season with three minutes remaining in the second period, ripping the puck from the right side of the net and ringing the crossbar for the final goal of the 17 minutes.

“We always talk about making the right hockey play,” Aaron Haycraft said. “If the right hockey play is to shoot the puck in that situation, you fire the puck. If the right hockey play is to make the pass, you make the pass and don’t hesitate.”

The Cardinals scored four more goals in the final period of play, including Alexis Haycraft’s third and final goal of the game off a scrum for possession in front of the net. Fairmont outshot the Flyers 53-6 on the night, showing Aaron Haycraft’s team’s ability to always apply pressure on opposing defenses.

Fairmont looks to stay undefeated when traveling to play Simley next Monday at Vet’s Arena. This contest is set to start at 7 p.m.