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POMFRET — The Pomfret School girls’ ice hockey team showed their winning ways last week.
Pomfret 7 Pingree 0
Coaches said the girls played as one unit and were rewarded with a 7-0 win over Pingree. From the puck drop they set the tempo for the day and took the game into their own hands.
Emma Aldenberg ‘20 got the ball rolling with her first Pomfret career goal on a beautiful back door goal off of a crisp pass from Breanna Studley ‘22, to put the Griffins up 1-0 in the first period. To start the second period, Lily Brook ‘23 took a hard shot on net and Lexi Hendrickson ‘23 crashed hard slamming the puck back door, also scoring her first Pomfret career goal. Two minutes later, Brenna Studley ‘22 was on the half wall, passed the puck up to Grace Arsenault ‘20 at the point who quickly tapped it back to her, then she took a couple strides off the wall, passed it down low to Liz Phalen ‘20 who also quickly tapped it back to Studley ‘22 who ripped a shot over the Pingree goalie’s shoulder, putting us up 3-0. With 26 seconds remaining in the second period, Pingree got a hooking penalty and the power play unit of Grace Long ‘23, Sarah Rumley ‘22, and Emma McLean ‘22 took the ice. Sixteen seconds later, Rumley ‘22 and McLean ‘22 moved the puck swiftly, landing Long ‘23 with a goal to make it 4-0. In the third period, kept the momentum flowing as Sarah Rumley ’22 netted a goal off of assists from Grace Long ’23 and Emma McLean ’22. Less than two minute later, Riley Millard ’23 crashed hard from the point scoring the fifth goal and then right before the end of the period, she solidified it with her second goal of the game off of assists from Emma McLean ’22 and Bridget Horst ’22, for a final score of 7-0.
Cate Gallagher ’22 played well in net, consistently holding strong between the pipes and making saves at crucial times.
Pomfret: 3 vs. Portsmouth Abbey: 3
It was a very physical and fast game against Portsmouth Abbey. Portsmouth Abbey got the goal-scoring started early into the game, but Pomfret responded quickly to tie it 1-1. Liz Phalen ’20 found the back of the net with assists coming from her linemates Breanna Studley ’22 and Melissa Montesi ’21.
The Griffins got their feet moving at the start of the second period with a great skate and goal from Hannah Twombly ’21 with the assist going to Tara Valas ’23. In the back-and-forth manner of this game, Portsmouth Abbey found the net six minutes later, tying it back up 2-2. The third period was undoubtedly the most physical period Pomfret has seen yet this season. The Griffins’ coaches said they were proud of the composure the girls showed, while also staying strong and holding their own. Scoreless for the first 10 minutes of the period, Portsmouth Abbey took the lead, 2-3.
With just over four minutes left in regulation and down by a goal with a face-off in the offensive zone, Pomfret went for it and pulled the goalie in order to have a one-woman advantage on the ice, 6 versus 5. With a strong face-off win by Breanna Studley ’22, Emma McLean ’22, Melissa Montesi ’21, Liz Phalen ’20, Grace Arsenault ’20 and Hannah Twombly ’21 played aggressive and moved quickly, placing at least two on the puck at all times. Maintaining possession and getting the puck to the net was the name of the game here, and that’s exactly what these six girls did. They battled hard and with a scrum in front of the net, Breanna Studley ’22 buried one home, tying the game 3-3 with 3:55 remaining.
The tie remained after overtime.
Rieley Jessie-Gerelli ’20 tallied 25 saves for the afternoon holding off some tough Portsmouth Abbey scoring opportunities.
Pomfret 7, Groton 5
Earlier in the week the team beat Groton 7-5 in an exciting win last week.
The game started out slowly on both sides of the puck, with a nearly scoreless first period. With 3:34 remaining in the first period though, Groton placed on behind the goal line, going up 0-1. Pomfret responded shortly thereafter with 28 seconds remaining in the period with an unassisted goal by Breanna Studley ’22, tying the game 1-1 heading into the locker room.
Both teams stepped up their game in the second period, scoring a total of 9 goals between the two teams. Groton netted two quick goals early on putting themselves up 1-3. Pomfret very easily could have backed down, but did not give up the fight, and at 11:55 in the period, Grace Long ’23 scored off a diving rebound with assists from her linemates, Emma McLean ’22 and Sarah Rumley ’22, now 2-3. Groton responded 2 minutes later widening the gap 2-4. Less than a minute later, Melissa Montesi ’21 scored off of an assist from Breanna Studley ’22, 3-4. The same line tied the game up 3 minutes later, 4-4, as Elizabeth Phalen ’20 hit the net with the assist to MK Marshall ’22.
Unfortunately, 30 seconds later, Groton took the lead again, 4-5. Pomfret still did not give up and drove the offensive zone hard with Breanna Studley ’22 netting her second off the day from Tara Valas ’23 and Melissa Montesi ’21, tying it again at 5-5. We still were not done yet though, and with 1:53 remaining in the second period, Elizabeth Phalen ’20 took a hard shot from the side of the net with assists awarded to her linemates, Breanna Studley ’22 and Melissa Montesi ’21, giving us the lead 6-5.
In the third period, the Griffins played smart defensive hockey in order to maintain the lead. With 1:52 remaining in the game, Sarah Rumley ’22 ripped a hard shot on net from the slot with assists from Dava Dudek ’23 and Grace Long ’23, finalizing the score at 7-5.
Pomfret 2, Choate 4
Right after classes ended Dec. 18 and most students left campus, GVH hopped into two toasters and headed to Wallingford, CT for a midweek game against Choate.
Choate came out hard and fast, controlling the first period, and netted 3 goals to take a firm lead, 0-3.
In the second period, Pomfret came out flying, communicating on and off the ice, supporting one another, and getting the puck out of its zone more efficiently. Two and a half minutes into the second period, Emma McLean ’22 shot hard top right corner, hit the goalie in the shoulder, the puck dropped into the crease and Breanna Studley ’22 slammed it home, putting us on the board 1-3. Both teams kept battling hard on both sides of the puck, making for an exciting second period. With 6:21 left, Choate tallied their fourth and final goal of the day, but Pomfret did not give up and played until the final buzzer.
With 25 seconds remaining in the second period, Pomfret peppered the goalie and with traffic in front of the net, Grace Arsenault ’20 pushed the puck through off of an assist from Grace Long ’23, making it 2-4.
The third period was another exciting back and forth period, even without any goals on the board. With a minute left in the game, the Griffins tried to go a woman up by pulling the goalie and while they created more opportunities, unfortunately, they were not able to capitalize.
By Samantha Slotnick
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