2016: A Team Is Born
In 2016, RHS took a bold step forward, launching its first-ever Girls Ice Hockey program. What began as a small group of determined athletes has evolved into a thriving team, leaving a lasting inspiration for young girls.
The team owes its beginnings to its three founding skaters, RHS alumni Mackenzie Vorel (’20), Carly Snarski (’19) and Morgan Yurchuk (’19), whose passion and determination helped bring the program to life.
“I wanted the opportunity to represent our high school while playing,” Yurchuk said. “We had played travel hockey, but there was something special about the idea of building team spirit and inspiring other girls to get involved.”
The team faced its first major milestone on January 16, 2017, when the team secured its first-ever win as a program, defeating Westfield 3-1. At the time, the roster included 21 players, and the program was still operating as a club sport with much of the funding provided by the families of players.
In 2018, the program experienced a significant coaching transition. The team’s first head coach, Gina Addicks, who had been instrumental in establishing the foundation of the team, stepped down. Following her departure, coach Ryan Hallock took over and continued to build on the team’s early successes.
“I wanted to be a part of this program and coach a sport that isn’t normally viewed as a girls sport, which I found incredibly inspiring,” Hallock added.
2021-2022: The Team Takes Off
By the 2021-2022 season, the Lady Rams had reached new competitive heights. They qualified for the state playoffs for the first time and achieved another historic milestone by winning their first playoff game against Immaculate Heart on Feb. 23.
Girls Ice Hockey became an official NJSIAA sport in May of 2024. This meant the team could compete for an official state championship, which was impossible to do as a club sport.
Prior to this, Randolph Girls Ice Hockey received the Sportsmanship Award, which recognized their commitment to fair play and respect on and off the ice.
2024-2025: The Team Today
Year after year, the program continues to grow and succeed, attracting more players and building on its legacy. Today, the skaters’ commitment is evident in their willingness to attend 5 a.m. practices at SportsCare Arena (formerly Aspen Ice Arena). These early practices prove the team members’ discipline and determination, with the players showing up ready to work.
The team currently holds a 2-7-1 record for the 2024-2025 season. While still in progress, the season has already showcased their potential. The Rams have enjoyed victories over Chatham with a 2-1 win and Princeton with a 7-6 win. These games showed the team’s ability to stay competitive and maintain focus in high-pressure situations against the best of the best.
Key players who have stepped up this year include freshman center Charna Torres. Torres has made an immediate impact, scoring nine goals and having four assists to bring her to a total of 13 points. “I love being part of this team; it feels like family and every game is an opportunity to grow,” Torres commented.
In goal, sophomore Maria Dlugolecki has been a crucial asset to the team, having 304 total saves and maintaining an impressive .910% save percentage. “It feels amazing to be part of a team by people who believed in girls ice hockey,” Dlugolecki said.
Defender and center sophomore Lia Carroll is another standout player, expertly shutting down opposing offenses. Her skills are highlighted by her positioning and strong ability to read the game. She prevents many scoring opportunities and disrupts others plays with excellent stick work.
“I am extremely thankful for them being so brave for starting something new, and I’m so proud of how far the program has grown since then,” Carroll said.
“The Girls Ice Hockey team at RHS is not like any other high school sport,” Yurchuk said. “It really felt like a family of girls who were there to support each other.”
Editor’s note: If interested in joining Randolph Girls Ice Hockey, then please reach out to Coach Ryan Hallock ([email protected]), Coach Scott Aiello ([email protected]) and/or Laura Zepp ([email protected]).
