In a showdown between the top two teams in the state, the South Girls Hockey team shut out Mid-Michigan in a 3-0 victory. The Blue Devils, who are the reigning state champions, remain at the top of the state as the regular season is close to its end and playoffs approach.
The team had a blazing hot start, scoring a goal in the first minute of the game. Abby Evans ’25, who received an All-State honorable mention last season, said a strong gameplan and optimistic mindset going into the game helped them achieve the win.
“We are usually very positive and enthusiastic before games, but this was the most excited we’ve been about a game,” Evans said. “Our team’s approach for this game was to come out strong and set the tone. Our team definitely achieved this after going out on the first shit and scoring right away.”
Part of this pregame energy was Ella Smith ’26. She credited the team’s good vibes to how everyone came together as a united force and encouraged each other.
“Personally, I was really energetic and excited for this game,” Smith said. “It translated to the way I interacted with my teammates and I think the positivity spread, creating a great pregame dynamic. After was the same because we were all so excited to get to work next week to keep our position as first in the league.”
The self-titled “number one Grosse Pointe South sports fan,” Al Allotta ’25 has come to every home game since the state championship last year and has even traveled to away games. During the game, he emphasized how talented the team is and has no doubt that they will bring back another state championship this season.
“South is a great two-way team, they are pretty much good at everything on all fronts,” Allotta said. “They are going back-to-back (champions), absolutely.”
Taking home two state championships in a row is a tall task, which the team is attempting to do. However, after a win to solidify themselves at the top of the state, Charlie Harr ’26 said it gives the team clarity that this goal is attainable.
“It feels amazing keeping the first rank in the state,” Harr said. “A win like this is great because it is now certain that we could really beat any team that we get paired up against in the finals.”
With horizons soon shifting away from the regular season and towards the playoffs, the team can not help but think about what a second consecutive would mean. But with that comes the astounding work it will take to accomplish such a feat. Evans does not want to become overweening but believes that have what it takes to achieve that ultimate goal.
“I think we are confident, but we are also aware that playoffs bring the best out of every team,” Evans said. “It would be amazing to win back-to-back championships and it is very possible if we continue to improve the way we have been throughout the season.”
