Details

The Best 16 Minutes of the Season

The team hosted its Senior Night against a tough Kent team Feb. 23. Despite the emotion and home advantage, the Martlets had a hard time finding their rhythm in the first five minutes. Kent took advantage and scored two goals right out of the gate, putting Westminster at a crossroads. In the first shift back from the second goal, forwards Casey Winslow '21, Jill Parsons '19 and Taylor Adams '20 responded with much increased urgency and toughness. The bench took notice and you could sense each line making a quiet commitment to do whatever it took to get back into the game. The increased tempo paid off as a breaking Jenny Guider '20 drew a penalty with just five minutes left. The power play unit took to the ice determined to make the most of the advantage. Parsons won the face off cleanly and the unit proceeded to move the puck effectively, making crisp stick-to-stick passes. Megan Rittenhouse '20 walked the puck out of the corner and moved it quickly to Abby Munger '20 on the half-wall. Munger took one stride and let a shot go that sailed just under the goalie's arm short side. The Martlets had cut the deficit to 2-1. In between periods, the team recognized the level of play that would be required and got excited about continuing the pressure to start the second. The players took the ice with an incredible confidence — empowered by the strength of the team bond. The following 16 minutes would be their best hockey of the season, scoring four unanswered goals. To start the scoring, Adams found Rittenhouse on the back door on a power play to tie it up 2-2. The Martlets fed off the momentum and broke the puck out with speed earning the offensive zone ready to attack. Parsons pushed the play to earn a 2-on-2 with Adams. Parsons cut across the top while Adams drove to the net, catching a perfect pass from Parsons. She finished the play by baiting the goalie and backhanding it up and over her pad for the 3-2 lead. Then, finally with under four minutes to play, Guider stepped up on a penalty kill and scored a beautiful short-handed goal for the 4-2 lead. Westminster goalie Kayla Ireland '22 made some incredible saves to give her team the chance to get back in it. The third period was a battle, but the Martlets’ commitment never wavered. The defensemen made great plays, as Hannah Carbone '19 and Nina Ausperger '19 got the puck deep at every opportunity. Despite the discipline play, Kent earned and capitalized on its chances, closing the gap and finally tying it with just 43 seconds left. Westminster had an odd-man rush in OT, but the Kent goalie came up with the save. One unlucky play resulted in a Kent power play and it was able to seal the win with just three minutes remaining. In the end, even though the defeat was heartbreaking, there was a true confirmation of the growth this team has made over the season. The group had committed to nurturing a team culture of respect, hard work and trust in each other, and those dynamics were ready to help it to success when it needed it. The team had achieved that desired state of being greater than the sum of its parts. It was an incredible journey this season and coach Jessica Keough and coach Kelcie Finn couldn't be prouder of this group's Grit & Grace.
 
Back

Contact Us

995 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070

P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. 
© Copyright 2024 Westminster School  |  Privacy Policy
AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.