RAPID CITY – The Aberdeen Cougars scored three third-period goals to record their seventh straight victory in a 4-2 girls’ hockey triumph over Rapid City Rushmore on Sunday.

The contest was tied 1-1 before the final period.

“I thought the girls started to press themselves a little towards the end of the second period,” said Cougars coach Rob Weinmeister. “But we relaxed and regrouped. We played a smart and strong third period.”

Morgan Jones, Kailyn Poppen and Aiden Raap each scored in the final period to help fuel the victory.

The Cougars, 7-0 on the season, have used superior depth to their advantage in the final period early on this season and that was a factor against Rushmore.

“The fact we can roll three basically equal lines does come into play as we’re usually able to wear a team down,” Weinmeister said.

After a scoreless first period, Raap got the scoring started on Sunday, before Rushmore tied the game, setting the stage for Aberdeen’s big finish.

While the score was close the entire way, the shots on goal were not. The Cougars, who had 46 shots compared to 14 for the hosts, could have had many more goals if not for the stellar goaltending of Rushmore.

“Their goalie played a great game,” Weinmeister said, “and as a team they were challenging our shots.”

The Cougars have a big week of hockey ahead, playing at Mitchell on Friday and at Sioux Falls on Saturday, before hosting Huron on Sunday at the Odde Ice Center.

Aberdeen Cougars 0 1 3 – 4

Rapid City Rushmore 0 1 1 – 2

First Period: No scoring.

Second Period: 1, AC, Aiden Raap (Kailyn Poppen, Morgan Jones), 10:02; 2, RC, Lucia Vidas (Paige Zimiga and Kalyn Cover), 6:26.

Third Period: 3, AC, Jones (Alyssa Roehrich), 16:37; 4, AC, Poppen (Kalin Hepper and Raap), 12:49; 5, RC, Vidas (Kya Olson), 12:08; 6, AC, Raap (unassisted), 5:11.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 46; Rapid City Rushmore 14.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Ellen Orr (12 save); Rapid City Rushmore, Isabella Long (42 saves).