Cards sneak past Warriors in OT

ALEXANDRIA - Jordan Posch started off the season on the right foot for the Brainerd Warriors netting a goal in the sixth minute off of a Joe Nelson assist, but Brainerd lost its season opener against the Alexandria Cardinals 3-2 in overtime Thursday.

A Jake Williams penalty kick in the 64th minute gave the Warriors a 2-1 lead. The Cardinals tied the game in the 75th minute to force overtime.

Just 30 seconds away from playing to a tie, the Cardinals were successful on a penalty kick to hand Brainerd a loss.

"For our first game we played well," Brainerd coach Cahil Collins said. "It was (Alexandria's) third game to our first, but the boys played well. It is disappointing to lose a game this close to start the season and we do have some things to work out but we played well and we competed from the beginning."

Brainerd's Matt Sather made 17 saves in net.

Brainerd 1 1 0 - 2

Alexandria 0 2 1 - 3

First half: Brd-Jordan Posch (Joe Nelson) 6:00

Second half: Alex-55:00, Brd-Jake Williams 64:00 PK, Alex-75:00

Overtime: Alex-:30 left

Shots on goal (by halves): Brd 2 6 5 - 13 , Alex 10 6 4 - 20

Goalkeepers: Brd-Matt Sather (17 saves); Alex- (11 saves)

Conference: Brd 0-1. Overall: Brd 0-1. Next game: Brainerd at Sauk Rapids 5 p.m. Tuesday.