BREWSTER, N.Y. - On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the Avalanche laced up their skates to face the Rockland Rockies in the sectional semifinal round. At Brewster Ice Arena, the Avalanche wasted no time getting started. They scored just 18 seconds into the game, setting the tone for what would become an 8-0 victory.
“I love my teammates,” John Jay freshman Marcela Maurice said with a smile.
The opening rush set the stage. Carmel’s River Salisbury fired a shot to give the Avalanche a 1-0 lead at 14:42 of the first period.
Three minutes later, the pressure continued when the Avalanche went on the power play. With the Rockies unable to clear the puck, Pawling’s Sascha Brightman tallied the second goal.
The onslaught continued. Salisbury netted her second goal at 8:48, and the Avalanche carried a commanding 3-0 lead into the second period.
Coming out of the break, Maurice showcased her skill with a weaving stickhandling move through the defense. She was denied on a one-on-one opportunity, but coach Stacey Wierl took notice.
“She brings the next level of talent and is incredibly versatile,” Wierl said. “Marcela can protect the puck, and we can also put her at forward, where she can score.”
Maurice credited years of practice for her development.
“When I was younger, I was always out stickhandling in my driveway,” she said.
The missed opportunity did nothing to slow the Avalanche. Lucy Yoon of Byram Hills scored at 5:35, and two minutes later Maurice converted on an assist from Addison Pinnow.
“I crashed the net and was able to get it in,” Maurice said.
Her teammates appreciate her impact.
“Marcela is a great asset for us,” said John Jay’s Kathryn Becker. “She’s skilled and kind of shifty. You can always count on her to skate it out and have your back.”
Becker made her mark as well, assisting on a goal at the second-period buzzer. As a forward, she embraces her role near the crease.
“I’m out there to screen in front of the net and get some dirty rebounds,” the junior said.
Wierl values that presence.
“We really like her in front of the net,” Wierl said. “She can take the goaltender’s eyes away and put in rebounds.”
Defensively, Grayce Peters saw limited action through the first two periods but finished with six saves. In just her second year playing hockey, the Lakeland ninth grader quickly found her calling.
“I really got into it and said to myself, I want to skate and I want to be a goalie,” Peters said.
Even in a position that can feel isolating, Peters said she never feels alone.
“When the other team scores, I look around and my teammates tell me it’s not your fault, it’s ours,” she said.
She also appreciates her defensive support — especially Brightman.
“Sascha — she’s super fast and gets to the puck,” Peters said.
Wierl has seen significant growth from her young goalie.
“She has grown in the last three months by leaps and bounds,” the coach said.
With the comfortable lead, the Avalanche were able to give their bench players ice time. Violet Fishlin of Fox Lane valued the encouragement.
“Although I might not be on the ice all the time, I know the second I’m out there they will support me and cheer me on,” Fishlin said. “So I put my best foot forward because I want to make them proud.”
The team knew a tougher challenge awaited. The Avalanche had previously lost twice to the East Green Wave.
“There are a couple of players we really have to watch out for,” Becker said.
Still, Wierl remained confident.
“I’m really proud of the culture they’ve built,” she said. “When those losses came, we bounced right back and didn’t let down.”
That resilience was tested Monday, Feb. 2.
The teams battled for 57 minutes, 54 seconds before a goal was scored. June Kleiner of the Green Wave netted the sudden-death winner, giving the Avalanche a second-place finish.
The Avalanche qualified for the state tournament but again fell to East Green Wave, this time 8-1.
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