Girls Hockey Begins to Rebuild
NEIRAD enilno edition
“We're going all the way this year,” junior Emily Tropsa said. That is the optimistic prediction for the upcoming Blue Wave Girls Varsity Hockey season. The girls are coming off of an FCIAC and State championship two years ago and a runner up performance in the FCIAC and States this past year. “Despite losing many players we are confident that we will have a great season” senior captain Lauren Perkins said.
Senior captains Perkins, Emma Tuz, and Ellie Bullitt will lead the team. Juniors Emily Tropsa, Galen Rohn and Sarah Shaker will help out the seniors. The sophomore standout will be Lilly Christensen. The team hopes to receive help from a strong freshmen group; however it is unclear at the time which freshmen girls will be trying out for the team. Freshmen Katie de Haas and Sage Thatcher will be counted on to make a big impact.
The girls have had an excellent run these last two seasons. The backbone was goalie Katherine Macomber who graduated last season and is currently attending Villanova University. Macomber was the top goalie in the state and it will be tough to replace such a stellar player. It will be impossible to fully replace Macomber but the team will do its best. As of right now there are no girl goalies. The team will be training freshman Shannon Hall so they will have her for the next four years. Luckily for Hall she will be supported by the returning defense which includes Bullitt, Rohn, and Christensen. “Although we are short numbers wise on defense, the girls make it up in their skills,” Perkins said.
Aside from winning some hardware, one goal the girls hope to accomplish is beating New Canaan. This is a common feeling for all Darien athletes; however it is personal for girls’ hockey. They lost to New Canaan three times last year, including losses in the State and FCIAC championship. The girls will be sure to make a point in beating New Canaan. The good news for Darien is that New Canaan also lost many players. “Many teams in the FCIAC including New Canaan will be facing rebuilding seasons” Perkins said.
With a great last few seasons, the girls will continue to work hard to keep up the success. The girls kick off the season with tryouts in December. The girls hope to follow through with Tropsa’s promise of “going all the way”.
