EDINA, Minn. – The Aberdeen Cougars used strong defense to collect a pair of girls’ hockey victories on Saturday. The Cougars skated past Edina 6-1 before edging the Minnetonka Stars 2-1 in non-league action.

Rachel Siefken had a hat track in the win over Edina, scoring twice in the first and once in the third. Kailyn Poppen added a goal and three assists in the victory. Ema Rehder and Lauren Scheel also found the back of the net.

“This game was good to get on the ice and skating again, especially after not playing last weekend and only getting to practice twice this week,” said Cougars coach Rob Weinmeister. “We had a little rust as our decision making was a little slow at times, but that is exactly why we are playing these games to continue to improve.”

That decision making was put the test against Minnetonka. Rehder had both of Aberdeen’s goals.

The Cougars outshot the Stars 39-13, but had a difficult time pulling away from the Minnesota squad.

“It was a good game for us to quicken some of the decision making. I thought at times we moved the puck well, but I would have liked a few more quality scoring opportunities going toward the net,” Weinmeister said. “We had a fair amount of shots, but sometimes we weren’t able to get solid shots or weren’t able to follow up the rebounds when we did.”

The Cougars will face Minnetonka again today with puck-drop set for 1 p.m. It will be the final game before the state tournament next weekend. The Cougars will be the top seed in that event.

Edina 0 1 0 – 1

Aberdeen Cougars 3 2 1 – 6

First Period: 1, AC, Rachel Siefken (Kailyn Poppen), 10:10; 2, AC, Ema Rehder (Raniesa Mattke), 7:03; 3, AC, Siefken (Alyssa Roehrich, Poppen), 1:33.

Second Period: 4, E, Katie Flitsch (Kathryn Libert), 16:01; 5, AC, Lauren Scheel, 11:52; 6, AC, Poppen (Siefken, Madeline Sandvig), 2:56.

Third Period: 7, AC, Siefken (Poppen), 1:05.

Shots on Goal: Edina 16; Aberdeen Cougars 48.

Goalies: Edina, Tulie Boughan (42 saves); Aberdeen Cougars, Chloe Vikander (15 saves).

Minnetonka Stars 0 0 1 – 1

Aberdeen Cougars 1 1 0 – 2

First Period: 1, AC, Ema Rehder (Alli Stoltenburg), 3:44.

Second Period: 2, AC, Rehder, 14:21.

Third Period: 3, MS, 5:20.

Shots on Goal: Minnetonka Stars 13 shots; Aberdeen Cougars 39.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Chloe Vikander (12 saves).