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Washtenaw United Girls’ Hockey restarts with 3 wins!

Washtenaw United Feb. 10th against Downriver United at Kennedy Ice Arena, Trenton. Photo courtesy of Washtenaw United.

submitted by Washtenaw United

Washtenaw United is a High School Girls’ Hockey Team skating out of the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The team serves High Schools within Washtenaw County that do not have a dedicated team to play for. Currently, Pioneer and the combined Skyline-Huron have dedicated teams. Washtenaw United is made up of players from Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Manchester, and Milan. The team is in its first year of play, and is an affiliate member of the Michigan Girls High School Hockey League. The team lost their first game in November, 1-3, against Downriver United after which, the season was halted.

The team restarted their season, Wednesday, February 10th, with a 4-1 victory against Downriver United in the Kennedy Ice Arena in Trenton, MI. The victory marked the first win in program history, improving the team record to 1-1-0 on the season. The two teams last played on November 5th, 2020, with Downriver skating away with a 3-1 win. The season had been shutdown shortly after the November 5th game due to COVID restrictions, until practices were allowed to restart on January 16th. This was the first game back for both teams after games were allowed to resume by the Michigan Department of Health on February 8th.

Washtenaw came out to a quick start in the first period, outshooting Downriver 10-5, however the first period closed with no scoring from either side. At 2:18 into the second period, Jillian Eggleson (Dexter, ’22) opened the scoring on the power play with a shot from the left point, thanks to a screen in front of the Downriver goaltender provided by Sydney Clark (Saline, ’25) and a deflection off a Downriver defender. Cecilia Henriksen (Chelsea, ’24) netted what would be the first of her three goals on the night with 7:57 to go in the second. Downriver pulled within 1 less than 2 minutes later.

Washtenaw would spend most of the remainder of the 2nd period shorthanded. Linzy Costella (Manchester ’21) was a 4 minute boarding penalty shortly after Downriver goal, followed by a checking penalty on Rylee Kennedy (Milan, ’24). Washtenaw was able to kill both penalties, and pick up their third goal with 20 seconds to go in the period. Henriksen rounded out the scoring in the 3rd period with an empty net goal with 1:23 to go in the game.

Goaltender Julia Scarcella (Saline, ’22) turned aside 19 Downriver shots in a solid performance. Raegan Kopitsch (Dexter, ’24) picked up 2 assists on the night.

Head coach Adam Winters was pleased with the Washtenaw effort their first game in 3 months. “The level of play was a lot better tonight than it was 3 months ago. Having 3 weeks of practice prior to our first game seemed to help, but you can’t completely simulate a game in practice, so you never really know what you’re going to get. “ Winters continued, “We’re just so excited to be back playing games, I’m happy for both teams to have this opportunity to put a semblance of a season together. I’m proud of the way the team has remained positive and handled setbacks throughout the season.”

Washtenaw United continued their winning ways on Thursday, February 11, with a 4-1 victory over Downriver United at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube (which we don’t have details for) and on Saturday, February 13, with a 5-4 victory over the Skyline-Huron High School (Skyron) combined team on Saturday at Veteran Memorial Rink in Ann Arbor.

After a scoreless first period, Kate Hurley of Skyron knocked in the rebound after a shot off the faceoff to United goaltender Julia Scarcella (Saline, ‘22) right. The two teams would combine for 5 goals in the second period. Skyron lead would not last long with the United scoring 3 goals in a less than 4 minute stretch. United leading scorer, Cecilia Henriksen (Chelsea, ‘24) scored her 5th of the season with a backhand rebound past Skyron goalie Jillian Cook. Senior Captain Linzy Costella (Manchester, ‘21) wristed a shot from the top of the circle past Cook, followed by Sydney Clark (Saline, ‘25) first goal of the season, tapping in a rebound after a shot from the point. Skyron got the final goal of the period, a power play goal, with 4:25 to go in the period.

Skyron tied the game 3-3 2:35 into the third period, on goal by Salsabeel Hodge, quickly followed by Henriksen second goal of the night giving the United the lead once again. Henriksen picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, skating down the left side, and put one past Cook blocker. Khaleela Hodge would score her second of the night tying the game up for Skyron.

Late game heroics were provided by Junior defenseman Jillian Eggleston (Dexter, ‘22). Eggleston picked up the puck at the red line, skated around 2 Skyron players, and shot the puck past the Skyron goaltender. “The coaches have been encouraging me to skate the puck more”, Eggleston said. “I picked up the puck in the neutral zone after skating around the two defenders. I realized I had an open shot, and I just took it.” With a minute to go, Skyron pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. Scarcella made some timely saves, preserving the win for the United.

“I thought Henricksen and Eggleston had really strong games today”, said United Assistant Coach Sue McDowell. “Cecilia two goals, the first starting the 3 goal streak in the second period, the second giving us the 4-3 lead in the third. Along with the game winner, Jillian picked up a couple assists with shots from the point. Riley Malloy (Saline, ‘24) really helped us defensively today, especially in the third period, blocking shots and being physical in front of our net.”

Washtenaw United is back on the ice next Saturday against Pioneer, 12:30 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, and Sunday on the road against Bloomfield.

Washtenaw United team photo. Photo courtesy of Washtenaw United.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.