Members of the girls ice hockey team said they’re feeling optimistic about enjoying another successful winter with an experienced, well-rounded and hard-working roster of skaters ready and willing to do the job.

Last season, the Rams achieved the team’s first-ever state playoff win against Immaculate Heart on Dec. 8, 2021. Now, as the team prepares to go into its seventh season, the players hope to repeat if not exceed this goal with a bigger roster than ever, including key returning offensive and defensive players.

“This team is a very diverse group of girls as far as playing experience goes,” coach Ryan Hallock said. “Our goal is to be better than the last game, improving all facets of the game—offense, defense and goaltending. We have to rely on the experience of our senior leaders and those that have grown their skills over the years. The sky is the limit for these girls.”

With senior captains Anna Stock and Steph Martin, the team has two reliable and talented players taking the lead this season. Stock and Martin tallied 17 and 15 goals last season respectively.

“As a captain, I want to focus on a lot of team bonding on and off the ice,” Martin said. “I think that through our team getting super close off the ice, systems and plays on the ice will come easy. On top of that, I want to really get the most out of our practices to guarantee success in our games.”

The captains are paired with returning stat leaders senior forward Aleksandra Roche, junior defense Joelle Yurchuk and sophomore forward Ellen Dell’aglio.

“We have a lot of potential this year, as most of the team has been working together on the ice for a couple of years now,” Stock said. “I am confident we can push farther than we have ever gone before in program history, and I am so excited to see where we go.”

Varsity returner Stephanie Xhumba will be securing the net for the team again this year, with an admirable 483 saves and an 87 percent save percentage for the 2021-22 season.

With an impressive and experienced team that will soon take to the ice, fans can hope to see an increase in wins and a season worth watching. The team will open the season against Chatham on Sunday, Dec. 11 at Mennen Arena at 8:30 p.m.