Photos and Story by Janet Schultz, NYHOL
St. Mary’s of Lancaster is the 2025 Private School Champion in the WNYGVIH Federation. They didn’t get it easily with Monsignor Martin keeping the puck moving and Goalie Kate Kelley stopping 48 of 51 shots on goal.
Monsignor Martin and St. Mary’s played to a 0-0 tie after the first period and throughout most of the second. Avery Szczesek dropped in the first goal, assisted by Lauren Gilano, with 5:21 left in the second period to go ahead 1-0. Just seconds into the third period Danielle Cottrell gave St. Mary’s their second goal, assisted by Meghan Donnelly and Shea Hall. It looked like that may have been the end but with 6:56 left in the third, Shea Hall, assisted by Cottrell and Gilano, added the third and the season ends with St. Mary’s 3, Monsignor Martin 0.
Goalie Avery Hall stopped 7 of 7 for the shut-out victory.
St. Mary’s ends the season 6-6-3-1 and the Championship. Szczesek was their leading scorer with 17 goals and 3 assists for 20 points. In goal Hall shared duties with Betsy Accurso. Hall played 217.23 minutes with a .917 save percentage and Accurso played 608.43 minutes with a .895 save percentage.
Kelley was the only goalie who played for MonMar with 775 minutes between the pipes. She faced 825 sog/saving 735 for a .891 save percentage. MonMar’s leading scorers were Addison Cherry with 3 goals and 3 assists, Ellie Black and Gabby Kazmark, each with 3 goals and 2 assists.
Looking a head, St. Mary’s had six seniors this season and Monsignor Martin graduated one.
St. Mary’s is coached by Marty Gilano, assisted by Bri Colucci, Rich Hall and Deanna Ventura. Colucci played for Lancaster/Iroquois in the first season of the WNYGVIH Federation. Mt. St. Mary’s took the Private School Championship last season.
Monsignor Martin is coached by Darren Palezewski, assisted by Ed Guzdek, Joe Kazmark, Julia Duquette and Guy ModicaAmore. Duquette played for Monsignor Martin in the first year of the WNYGVIH Federation. Monsignor Martin won Federation Championships in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2022.
St. Mary’s of Lancaster vs Monsignor Martin
All Photos Property of NY Hockey OnLine, Janet Schultz©, Photographer
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