Lake Cowboy Storms Back to Cap Undefeated Regular Season with Statement Win Over Tradition Mortgage

Braemar Arena – July 24, 2025

With first place locked up and perfection on the line, Lake Cowboy saved their most emphatic second-half surge for the final game of the Celly League regular season, storming back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat second-place Tradition Mortgage 5-1 in a clash that lived up to its billing.

The undefeated Lake Cowboy squad, now 8-0, faced their stiffest test yet from a Tradition Mortgage team riding a three-game winning streak and needing just a point to secure second place. And for the opening half, it looked like the upset was brewing.

Tradition Mortgage executed a nearly flawless first 30 minutes, clogging the neutral zone, closing gaps, and getting sticks in passing lanes as if they were playing for a Frozen Four berth. Goalie Hailey Hansen (BSU) was spectacular in net, stopping all 17 shots she faced in the first half. Her steady play and a first-period goal from Maddy Christian (PSU) assisted by Zoe Lopez (MSU) and Avery Chesek (Yale) at the 26:08 mark—gave Tradition a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

But Lake Cowboy wasted no time resetting the narrative.

Just two seconds into the second half, Madison Kaiser UM) backed down the defense, turned with her back to the net, and backhanded home the equalizer off a slick feed from Katelyn Roberts (PSU) and Maeve Kelly (BU). That goal flipped the momentum completely, igniting a five-goal avalanche that overwhelmed Tradition Mortgage.

15 seconds later, Justina Valentini (Assumption) put on a show with a highlight-reel dangle through defenders before burying the go-ahead goal, assisted by Alexa Hanrahan (Assumption). Only 46 seconds after that, Josie Linn (UNH) made it 3-1 on a gritty finish in front, with assists from Lola Reid (BU).

The floodgates were open.

Linn added her second of the night later in the frame, extending the lead to 4-1 with help from Grayson Limke (Sacred Heart) and Valentini. Roberts, the league’s leading scorer, put an exclamation point on the win by lighting the lamp picking up her 7th goal of the season to go along with with just 30 seconds remaining, set up by Rachel Agerter (Assumption). 

Lake Cowboy goalie Sedona Blair (UNH, tested far less than in previous outings, stood tall when needed, stopping 16 of 17 shots to secure her eighth win of the season.

Despite the second-half unraveling, Tradition Mortgage held onto second place in the standings at 4-4, finishing the regular season strong overall.

With the postseason looming, Lake Cowboy enters as the team to beat—undefeated, battle-tested, and firing on all cylinders.

Three Stars:

1. Justina Valentini (Lake Cowboy) – 1G, 1A, game-winning goal, dominant two-way effort

2. Madison Kaiser (Lake Cowboy) – Game-tying goal seconds into second half, momentum shifter

3. Hailey Hansen (Tradition Mortgage) – 17 saves in the first half, singlehandedly kept her team ahead early