The Washtenaw United Girls HS Ice Hockey team travelled to Grand Rapids Sunday for a rematch against the Grand Rapids Griffins 19U team. It was a sunny day for travel, but the team struggled for several periods trying to ensure a happy drive home.
Washtenaw, missing Riley Malloy (Saline ‘24), juggled their lines and saw excellent defensive play from forwards Linzy Costella (Manchester ‘21), defenseman Rylee Kennedy (Milan ‘24) and Cecilia Henrickson (Chelsea ‘24). Midway through the period GRAHA took advantage of a gap in coverage and got a breakaway shot on goal but Washtenaw’s goaltender, Julia Scarcello (Saline ‘22) smothered the shot.
The teams continued their hard work with GRAHA creating a wall in front of their goaltender and Washtenaw struggling to get free from heavy, physical play. The shots on goal at the end of the first were GRAHA 8, Washtenaw 3.
The second period continued the struggle, though offensive work by Raegan Kopitsch (Dexter ‘24), Costella, Makenna Lupi (Saline ‘22) and Jillian Eggleston (Dexter ‘22) gave Washtenaw some hope. Saline’s Sydney Clark (Saline ‘24) had several shifts where her forechecking on GRAHA, followed by her tenacious backchecking successfully disrupted any of their offensive chances.
Midway through the period, despite heavy back and forth play, Washtenaw received the game’s first penalty. Despite a nice shorthanded breakaway rush by Henrickson, GRAHA gathered the puck and scored the game’s first goal – burying the puck behind Scarcello at 6:55 of the period.
A possible tying goal on a breakaway by Washtenaw was thwarted when GRAHA tripped Costella as she drove to the net. No penalty for the play was assessed, much to the frustration of Washtenaw’s coaches and fans. The period ended with GRAHA achieving 8 shots on goal to Washtenaw’s 6.
The third period started with several offensive chances for Washtenaw’s Henrickson, Clark and Saline’s Reese Caryl (Saline ‘22) and Kathryn Winters (Saline ‘23). GRAHA took a penalty for hooking at 10:15 of the period but Washtenaw was unable to take advantage of the extra player.
With 1:38 remaining, a faceoff in GRAHA’s zone gave Washtenaw’s coach Adam Winters the opportunity to pull Scarcello from goal and add an extra Washtenaw player for a last offensive push. The team responded with Kopitsch scoring the goal for Washtenaw that tied the game. GRAHA kept the pressure on getting a shot on goal with less than 14 seconds remaining but Scarcello stayed strong. Scarcello made 19 saves in the tie; GRAHA had 20.
Next up for Washtenaw is a game Wednesday against Pioneer’s JV team at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Unfortunately, spectators are not permitted but the game will be carried on Pioneer’s Facebook page (PWICE). On Thursday, March 11, Washtenaw will host the rematch of their series against Skyline/Huron at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube at 8:30 pm. Washtenaw will host Livonia United at the Cube on Saturday, March 13th, at 5:30 pm and will recognize senior captain Linzy Costella at that game. The Ann Arbor Ice Cube does permit limited spectator attendance.
Washtenaw United is a High School Girls’ Hockey Team skating out of the Ann Arbor Ice Cube that serves players from Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Manchester, and Milan. The team is in its first year of play, and is an affiliate member of the Michigan Girls High School Hockey League (MGHSHL) with plans of full membership into the league for the 2021-22 season.
