By Sean Moran ’15 | Sports Editor

In a hardworking season, the girls hockey team finished with a record of 11-13 after falling to Ann Arbor in their first game of the playoffs.

“We had a good season,” said head coach Joe Provenzano. “Strong leadership from our upper class-man enabled us to compete with the top teams in the league all year.”

The team played really hard in the playoff game to Ann Arbor even though they lost, Provenzano said.

“Our goal every year is to improve our team throughout the season to be able to compete for a State Championship at the end of the season,” said Provenzano. “We were unable to make a run in state playoffs, but our level of play in our playoff game against Ann Arbor was one of our best team efforts of the season.”

The team really improved throughout the season and had a great chemistry, Elizabeth Sullivan ‘16 said. The team fell early in playoffs, which was not there goal.

“Everyone on the team improved a lot and we became really close, which was one of our biggest goals,” said Sullivan. “However, we lost in our first playoff game which means we don’t advance, and winning states was the most important goal set at the beginning of the season.”

The seniors ended their season on a tough loss, but they accomplished so much for this team, Provenzano said.

“We had two returning seniors, Tenley Shield and Anne Crowley (both ‘14), who were key to the development and success of our team. Tenley Shield had a phenomenal year by providing over 60 percent of our scoring this season,” said Provenzano.

The captains worked hard this season to bring this young squad together, Shield  said.

“We had a lot of younger girls on the team this year, and I think we all did a good job as captains of showing them what it takes to be successful in our league,” said Shield.

“The two seniors and co-captains Tenley and Anne were both incredible leaders,” said Sullivan. “They always thought of everyone on the team and motivated us to do our best all the time.”

The team had many great memories, especially playing at Comerica Park this season against North, Provenzano said.

“Playing at Comerica Park during the NHL Winterfest against Grosse Pointe North was definitely a once in a lifetime experience for our players and coaches,” said Provenzano. “It was amazing, not to mention getting the win.”

The team will be doing a lot of workouts during the offseason to prepare for next season, Ellie Flom ‘15 said.

“We skate during the summer and most players do additional summer camps outside of team skates and workouts,” said Flom.

Next season team will be in good shape even though they are losing their two senior captains, Provenzano said.

“We are in good shape for next season,” said Provenzano. “We lose two great seniors, but I know that their leadership along with a strong incoming senior class will allow our team to continue to compete at a very high level.”

Shield will miss her team but knows that that have hard workers to do well in the future.

“Anne and I are both experienced players, but there are definitely other girls who have the ability and skill set to step up next year and fill our spots. They are all hard workers and I have complete faith in what they will be able to do without us,” said Shield.