Royal Raptors could still break even

• Taplin makes 28 saves in win

South Washington County goaltender Jessica Taplin made 28 saves as the Royal Raptors defeated Hastings, 2-1, on Friday night. Staff Photo by Tom Carothers.

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A .500 record remained within reach for the South Washington County girls hockey team as goaltender Jessica Taplin made 28 saves in the Royal Raptors’ 2-1 defeat of Hastings on Friday, Jan. 29.

The Raiders drew first blood with a score in the opening frame, yet respective goals from Sidney Falconer and Rachel Letsche in the second and third periods rallied SWC to the victory.

South Washington County remained within earshot of a .500 record with the victory as the win improved the team’s record to 8-10-5 heading into a hosting of Totino-Grace — ranked No. 9 in Class A — on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Royal Raptors, who came into the Hastings matchup following a 7-3 home loss to Mounds View on Tuesday, Jan. 26. SWC concluded last week with a Suburban East Conference record of 3-8-4, good for sixth place in the league standings.

South Washington County’s regular season comes to a conclusion on Saturday, Feb. 6 against Cretin-Derham Hall at Highland Arena in St. Paul, with the Section 3AA Tournament slated to take place from Feb. 8-17.

Tags: sports, south, washington, county, girls, hockey, prep