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Washtenaw United takes on Grand Rapids Griffins U19, Pioneer HS JV, & Pioneer Varsity

submitted by Washtenaw United Girls HS Ice Hockey

The Washtenaw United Girls HS ice hockey team hosted the Grand Rapids Griffins 19U team Saturday, 2/27/21 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Washtenaw set the tone of the game early with a goal by Linzy Costella (Manchester, ‘21) unassisted at 12:38 of the first period. A short time later her teammate, Cecilia Hendrickson (Chelsea, ‘24) put another goal behind the Griffins’ netminder. Reese Caryl (Saline, 22) and Jillian Eggleston (Dexter, ‘22) had assists on Hendrickson goal. Late in the period, the Griffins’ goaltender stopped a terrific end-to-end rush by Costella.

Washtenaw continued their offensive push in the second period with a goal at 13:25 by Sydney Clark (Saline, ‘25) assisted by Raegan Kopitsch (Dexter, ‘24). This time, Grand Rapids returned the pressure by getting one past Washtenaw goalie, Julia Scarcello (Saline, ‘22) at 9:27 of the period. In response, Washtenaw scored two goals in quick succession. The first was scored by Caryl with assists from Henrickson and Kathryn Winters (Saline, ‘23) at 8:16, followed only 12 seconds later with a score by Henrickson with the assist from Kopisch. With 6:30 remaining in the period, Washtenaw newcomer Lexi Lyons (Saline) got her first shift with the team.

The two teams played a back-and-forth game in the third period with power play opportunities by both teams and some good defensive work by Washtenaw Eggleston, Julia Berholz (Dexter, ‘24), Rylee Kennedy (Milan, ‘24) and Riley Malloy (Saline, ‘24).��Lyons contributed with several strong break out passes to her teammates throughout the third. The Griffins’ best chance came on a surprise shot on Scarcello with 7:08 remaining in the game and again when the Griffins got a shot off from the point right at the buzzer. Scarcello made strong stands on both attempts and had a total of 12 saves for the win.

The win improved the United record to 6-2-0 on the season.��

The next game for Washtenaw was a home game against Pioneer HS JV on Monday, 3/1 which ended in a 8-0 win. Caryl lead the team to a shutout in net. Berkholz, Kopitsch, Malloy, Dillen, and Lupi all got their first goals of the season.

Washtenaw United, Girls’ HS Ice hockey, then hosted Pioneer HS, Thursday March 4th, and ended up with a 3-3 tie; a fitting score to wrap up the season competition with one of their county rivals. In a celebration of girls’ high school hockey, Washtenaw offered to host the game, which was Pioneer scheduled Senior Night, so that Pioneer parents would be able to attend. Pioneer organized a brief pre-game event, acknowledging the 13 seniors on their varsity and JV teams, while also recognizing Washtenaw Linzy Costella, who will graduate from Manchester HS this spring.

Pioneer opened the scoring at 7:06 in the first with a backdoor shot behind Washtenaw goalie, Julia Scarcella (Saline ‘22). With less than :50 seconds remaining in the first, Washtenaw made a key line change on an offensive zone faceoff and Costella tucked the puck behind Pioneer goaltender, Cody Ross, with assists from her teammates Sydney Clark (Saline ‘24) and Julia Berkholz (Dexter ‘24).

The second period opened with a Pioneer penalty against Bella LoPresti but Washtenaw was unable to capitalize on the power play. Pioneer Nadia Tuzinsky scored to give Pioneer a 2-1 lead at 4:32 of the period, but Washtenaw Reese Caryl (Saline ‘22) answered the challenge by scoring with only 1:43 remaining on another assist from Berkholz.

Washtenaw started the third period short-handed but successfully pushed into Pioneer end and, in a flurry in front of Ross, Cecilia Henrickson (Chelsea ‘24) scored a shorthanded goal on an assist from Berkholz just before the penalty expired. With the score 3-2 in Washtenaw favor, Pioneer increased their offensive pressure, tripling the shots on goal they fired at Scarcella. At 10:58 of the period, Tuzinsky slipped a shot under Scarcella feet to tie the game 3-3. Despite chances by both teams in the last few minutes of the game, the tie score held. Pioneer Ross made 22 saves on the night and Scarcello had 26 saves for Washtenaw.

“We’re really happy with the effort of our team,” Head Coach Adam Winters said post-game. “Pioneer is the program with the longest history in Washtenaw County and we’re the newest team in town. To have won our first game against them and then tied tonight is a great sign of things to come for girls’ HS hockey in this area.”

Next up, Washtenaw traveled to Grand Rapids for a re-match against the Griffins Sunday, March 7, and then they host Skyline/Huron at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube at 8:30 pm on Thursday, March 11.��Limited spectators are allowed.

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 (MGHSHL) with plans of full membership into the league for the 2021-22 season.

by Sara Swanson

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