Section VI…Kenmore/Grand Island
Private School…Monsignor Martin
For twelve years predicting the WNYGVIH Section VI Champion, or even the Federation champions, is almost impossible. Tuesday night was no different.
First KGI took the Section VI honors and will head off to the NYS Finals this weekend in Canton. Their opponent will be named shortly. It would be either the East Green Wave or Skaneateles. Getting to that point was hard work and dedication by the coaches, players and staff.
KGI was in last place last year, losing all seven games played in a season that called for a very short game schedule due to the Covid Pandemic. In the years preceding they were in 7th place in 18-19 and 5th place in 19-20.
At puck drop the statistics found KGI with one player in the top scoring list with Isabella Jayme with 23 points, tied at fifth place. In goal KGI has two goalies in Carolyn Bourgeault and Jordan Hofschneider. Bourgeault has been the go-to goalie with 816.02 minutes and a .924 save percentage. Hofschneider with 157.85 minutes and .940 save percentage. Looking at Williamsville, they have two scorers in the top five with Aziah-Roze Thompson and Vanessa Willick. Thompson has 32 points and Willick, 25. Williamsville has only one goalie on the roster, Katherine Kelley, who has played 858.10 minutes and a .893 save percentage. Kelley is an eighth grader.
The puck drops, KGI skates to the goal and puts one in at eight seconds into the first period. It seemed to set the tone. Isabelle Jayme put that point up on the board, assisted by Savannah Samplinski. They waited just over 6 minutes to put in another, an unassisted goal by Molly Leggett. However, Williamsville needed to make their mark and Molly Martin dropped in an unassisted goal to close out the first period 2-1 in favor of KGI.
Once again KGI opened scoring in the second period with an unassisted goal by Kiley Turnbull. Just before the period closed Williamsville’s Claire O’Donnell scored, assisted by Diana Martucci. The period endsw 3-2 KGI.
Williamsville tied the game in the opening half of the third period. Continuing her season history, Thompson scored, unassisted and tied the game. Kenmore’s Carissa Buyea scored the game-winner, assisted by Emilinna Cassillo. The game ends 4-3 KGI.
KGI’s Carolyn Bourgeault faced 23 shots and Kelley stopped 15 of 19 for Williamsville.
In an interview with WNY Athletics Coach of the Year Jeff Orlowski attributed the teams success to the players.
“This group love each other and they show up for each other,” said Orlowski. “They worked over the summer, they all showed up and they want to be around each other.”
Captain Buyea agreed.
“We’ve come a long way from last year and the team morale has been great.”
“It was amazing coming from 7th grade to senior year and having a great win,” said Buyea.
Orlowski also credited Williamsville Coach Rick Hopkins who has brought his team through three consecutive championships, one which KGI lost to them.
The stats show a winner but the action on the ice showed the spirit and skill of both teams.
Coming up the Monsignor Martin vs St. Mary’s of Lancaster game recap and photo album.
All photos by Janet Schultz Photography© and copyrighted by NYHOL.
