Nationals Here We Come

Nationals Here We Come

By: Kelsey Lynch

NY STATE CHAMPS

LAKE PLACID, NY---Last weekend NSA's girl's hockey took the ice for the 70th time, knowing that it could potentially be their last game of the season. Although the Mountaineers were victorious against the Troy Albany Ice Cats and the Rochester Edge, NSA's lack of focus almost put their season to rest.

With a secured spot for Nationals, the Mountaineers are looking at a tough schedule and are using the next couple days to prepare for their last weekend.

As the team traveled back from Troy with a trophy and banner on board most players like Emily Laurenzi used their time to reflect on the previous game. " Our last game was close, too close, and as it came down to the last second it was anyone’s game."

Baye Flanagan added, " We didn't play our game and weren't playing as a team but we still managed to pull out a victory."

Although everyone wishes they could change one thing do something differently, it is important for the team to focus on what lies ahead, Nationals. With that in mind, the girls had only nine days to prepare themselves between the state tournament and the national finals.

Preparation started on Tuesday when the girls received a text message with a wake up call of 6 a.m. As they made their way out of bed and downstairs they soon found themselves climbing Cobble Hill for a little pre practice workout. Megan Whiddon described her experience: "It was fun and we were able to just enjoy hanging out as a team."

At this point in the season on ice practice is very crucial and acts as a prediction of how the team will play in future games. Head Coach Bill Ward used the ice time wisely and had the team doing specific drills in order to get the girls moving and prepared.

“We had a good week with some competitive game like situations including 1-1 battles. Leading in to nationals we need to refocus on playing the game with defense as the primary responsibility but still generating offense as well.”

Inspirational saying from the team.

One practice was specifically used to concentrate on the special teams. The team spent most of the hour and fifteen minute practice to perfect their power play and penalty kill. “I felt like it was a good practice because we spent a good amount of time practicing what is important and it was good conditioning as well”, Flanagan added.

As the team finishes up their five-day week of training and preparations, the coaches have planned an extra practice and off ice training before the team departure on Monday. Ward has also decided to leave two days before their first match up in order to settle in and hopefully have another practice.

With Nationals less than a week away, some girls feel as though, they have never felt stronger or more prepared for a weekend. 

Although the team is aware of their competition there is no way to tell what they are capable of, having never played them before.  The competition NSA will face is considered to be the best of the best.

NSA goalie, Martha Smith, comments on the unpredictable competition “We have to come out strong and we can’t give them any space to play their game, we have to force them to play our game.”

Ward commented, “We’re going up against the best of the best and this weekend is going allow us to see how we stack up”

The Mountaineers first match up is against the Anaheim Lady Ducks followed by the East Coast Wizards and Shattuck St. Mary. In order to advance to the quarterfinals, NSA has to compete well against these three teams.

Knowing that this weekend will be their last, the Mountaineers are determined to end their season with a bang.