The hockey team captured their first state title since 2009 at WesBanco Arena on February 9th defeating the second seed, Morgantown, seven to four as the fifth seed in the tournament.
“The team this year was one of the most close knit teams I’ve gotten the privilege to play with. We went through many hardships, but getting to win with my best friends made it so worth it,” said senior Anna Brannare
Coming into the state tournament as the fifth seed is no easy task. Our hockey team took down the number one seed, Charleston, seven to zero in the semi-finals to advance to the state championship.
“What prepared us was just finding the right mindset. We all bought in as a group to having zero expectations and just living and playing in the moment. The locker room was loud and exciting and energetic, and you could just tell that we wanted to be there and that it was going to take a lot to beat us, “ said junior Luke Simonetti.
Simonetti ended the game with a hat trick, a state trophy, and a tournament MVP plaque.
“Winning tournament MVP is something I’ll always remember and be grateful for, but we won this tournament because of 18 MVPS, I just happened to get the plaque,” said Simonetti.
Goals were also scored by Junior Gavin Hudrlik, Junior, Cooper Abraham, Senior, Sam Kiger, and Kaden Lyons. Goalie, freshman Jaxson Updegraff, finished the game with 32 saves. Jaxson Updegraff, and Cooper Abraham, won game MVP in the state championship.
This year’s team had five seniors; Anna Brannare, Sam Kiger, Kaden Schnarr, Landon Szazynski, and Zach Miller.
Kaden Schnarr, senior assistant captain, will miss the family he made at Wheeling Park Hockey.
“The bond of the team, and being so close,” said Schnarr.
Luke Simonetti bonded well with the five seniors.
“This year’s seniors were special to me personally because I’ve bonded really well with all of them throughout high school and some of them I’ve known my entire life, but they really were the glue of this team and they bring so much more to the table than what you see on the ice,” said Simonetti.
Senior Anna Brannare will play divison one hockey at Post University in Connecticut next year, and she is grateful for Wheeling Park Hockey for getting her to that point.
“I will miss the brotherly love from everyone, and constantly feeling like I had a family behind me always. I would have never gotten the opportunity to go to the next level without our coaches and my favorite people pushing me to be better every day,” said Anna Brannare.
