TRAVERSE CITY — Despite a strong performance and a win on Thursday at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, the Alpena High hockey team knew it is in for another tough test Friday afternoon against a Marquette team that was ranked No. 11 in Division 2 and riding a seven game winning streak.

In the end, the Redmen got the one break they needed and Alpena was unable to capitalize on opportunities and fell by a final score of 1-0.

The opening period featured back and forth action and the Wildcats were the aggressors early, creating scoring chances.

It appeared as if Alpena had opened the scoring midway through the period, but a goal was waved off as the Marquette net was knocked off the moorings and both teams ended the period in a scoreless tie.

Just over five minutes into the second period, Marquette (10-3-1) got the break it needed as Sean O’Connor gathered a rebound and snuck one past Alpena goaltender Cooper Black.

The Redmen committed costly penalties throughout the period and gave Alpena chances, but the Wildcats were unable to cash in.

Alpena’s best scoring chance came late in the period when Kyle VanDusen hit the post and the Wildcats trailed 1-0 after two periods.

After applying the pressure and outskating Marquette throughout the first two periods, the Wildcats, who were down a handful of skaters, looked sluggish in the third and the Redmen took it to Alpena, controlling the puck until the final minutes of the contest.

With just under three minutes to play, Alpena did everything it could to net the tying goal and were once again on the attack, but goalie Brennen Hakkola came up with several big saves to preserve Marquette’s one goal lead.

The Wildcats pulled Black with two minutes to play and Alpena won the ensuing faceoff in the Redmen zone after pulling Black.

Limback fired a shot from just inside the blue line through a crowd of skaters, but Hakkola came away with another big stop.

It was the final chance Alpena was able to get as the Redmen were able to hang on to a 1-0 victory and skate away with their eighth consecutive victory.

“Today was just a difference of Marquette capitalizing on their chances. They got the break and we didn’t. We played strong throughout the first two periods, but we were down a few skaters and we got tired at the end of the game,” Alpena coach Chris Limback said. “We had six power play opportunities and just couldn’t bury it. It was a tough, hard fought game. This is how you learn to play better and keep improving against another quality team. We need to get healthy moving forward. We’re excited to get back home on our own ice next week.”

Alpena is now 10-4-1 overall on the season and will return to the ice next Friday for a crucial Big North Conference matchup against a Gaylord team who defeated the Wildcats 4-1 just a few weeks ago.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Oscoda 61, Alcona 35

ALCONA–Lauren Langley scored 18 points and the Oscoda girls basketball team stayed undefeated with a 61-35 win over Alcona in a North Star League contest on Friday.

Katelyn Etherton had 13, Izzy Hulverson chipped in with 11, Brooke Nowiski had nine and Macy Kellstrom had nine for the Owls (7-0).

Oscoda got out to a big leader after one quarter and Alcona (5-2) couldn’t overcome the deficit.

“They shot extremely well early in the came and put us in a big hole. Oscoda played a good game, and we know we have to play better,” Alcona coach Mark Feldhiser said. “Our kids played hard and did not quit.”Hailee Gordy had 8 points to lead Alcona.Oscoda’s JV team defeated Alcona 30-24 to improve to 8-0. Olivia Toppi and Megan Myles each had nine points for Oscoda.

Alcona hosts Alpena on Monday and Oscoda hosts Hale on Tuesday.

Posen 62, Hale 39

HALE–Brooke Ciarkowski scored 16 points and the Posen girls basketball team took possession of first place in the North Star League’s Little Dipper Division with a 62-39 win over Hale on Friday.

Lizzy Romel added 11 points for the Vikings (4-5, 3-3 NSL), who won for the fourth time in their last five games. Riley Krajniak and Makayla Kamyszek added nine and eight points respectively.

Posen got off to a 16-2 start in the first quarter and never looked back. The Eagles cut Posen’s lead to seven in the second half, but Posen ended the contest on a 25-9 run to ensure the win.

“To get a win on the road is huge. We ran the floor extremely well, rebounded well and I’m proud of them,” Posen coach Karl Momrik said.

Posen pushed its lead to 33-17 at halftime and 45-33 after three quarters.

Posen plays at Cedarville on Monday.

Fairview 41, Atlanta 9

FAIRVIEW–Kenzie Rodgers scored 11 points and a fast start by the Fairview girls basketball team allowed the Eagles to get their first win of the season, 41-9, over Atlanta on Friday.

Gretchen Ford and Jaedyn Winton added eight points each for the Eagles (1-6), who led 15-2 after one quarter and 25-3 at halftime.

Jordan Kobelius led Atlanta (2-6) with four points.

Atlanta plays at Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian on Monday and Fairview plays at Mio on Tuesday.

Hillman 37,

Au Gres 19

AU GRES–Make it two in a row for the Hillman girls basketball team.

Bailey Schook and Melanie Morrison scored 10 points each and the Tigers defeated Au Gres 37-19 on Friday for their second consecutive win.

Hillman (2-6) tipped the scales in its favor by outscoring the Wolverines 22-10 in the second half.

Hillman plays at Rogers City on Tuesday.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Au Gres 55,

Hillman 51

AU GRES — The Hillman boys basketball team suffered a tough loss on Friday, falling to Au Gres by a final score of 55-51.

The Tigers trailed from start to finish and never got into a rhythm.

Kory Henigan led Hillman with 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Nic Taratuta finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Caleb Sanders added a career high 13 points.

Hillman falls to 3-4 overall and is now 2-3 in North Star League play

The Tigers will look to regroup on Monday when they travel to Rogers City for another NSL contest.