BROOKINGS – The Aberdeen Cougars shortened their shifts, got physical on defense and picked up a 4-3 win over the Brookings Rangers in girls’ hockey action Sunday.

The victory came on the heels of a setback to Mitchell on Saturday afternoon.

“I really liked our effort today, especially after a loss (Saturday),” said Cougars coach Rob Weinmeister. “We back checked hard and worked well as a unit on the ice to limit their scoring opportunities. It was good to see the girls bounce back and work together.”

The Cougars rallied from a pair of one-goal deficits against the Rangers.

The hosts scored the first goal, before Alyssa Roehrich answered for Aberdeen for a 1-1 first period.

Brookings jumped in front again in the second before Taylor Nash tied the score at 2-2 heading into the final period.

Roehrich added her second goal to give the Cougars their first lead, and then Reece Ermer found the back of the net to give Aberdeen a two-score advantage. Brookings scored the final goal with just over two minutes remaining.

“We also improved our shift lengths,” Weinmeister said, “keeping them shorter with more speed when we were on the ice, which elevated the speed at which we played the game.”

Aberdeen Cougars 1 1 2 – 4

Brookings Rangers 1 1 1 – 3

First Period: 1, BR, Savannah Barber (Julissa Peterson), 14:30; 2, AC, Alyssa Roehrich, 11:59.

Second Period: 3, BR, Barber (unassisted), 15:14; 4, AC, Taylor Nash (Madelyn Witte), 11:21.

Third Period: 5, AC, Roehrich (Alli Stoltenburg), 14:34; 6, AC, Reece Ermer (Morgan Jones), 9:53; 7, BR, Kiran Vugteveen (Anna Rasmussen), 2:18.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 20; Brookings Rangers 15.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Ellen Orr (12 saves); Brookings Rangers, Aletha Baker (16 saves).