As the fall season draws to a close and temperatures begin to drop, anticipation soars along newfound feelings of coziness and team spirit. For many, this rise in excitement is due to the beginning of the ice hockey season, and its electrifying and hectic environment that few can resist. 

For girls hockey players specifically, the upcoming season represents a new challenge, certainly difficult but full of laughter, improvement, and an overall feeling of community and achievement. Head Girls Varsity Coach Jessica Zimmerman shared that her “favorite moment is just being with the team, and then seeing those players that [started] off as very beginners actually being able to play and score goals in the game.” The team as a whole is her “highlight of her year,” especially seeing seniors excel. 

When prompted as to whether the girls hockey has been neglected or overshadowed or by the boys, Zimmerman responded that “we pretty much try to do our best in juggling the ice time.” She recognizes that the boys team is larger, and therefore can require more resources and general attention, especially when sharing the ice. Despite this, she insists coaches “do [their] best, as it can certainly get tricky.” 

Both Zimmerman and returning defenseman Julia Heintz ‘25 agree that a significant moment from last season was the obvious improvement, which was exemplified by the games against Portledge in Long Island. Heintz remembers that the first game “[we] were kind of blown out, we lost 5-1 or 5-2, but the next two times [we] played them we tied them both times. I think that was really cool how we stepped up next time we played them.” 

An interesting contradiction between the two, however, was the different responses to the inquiries about fair treatment with regards to the boys’ team. While Zimmerman immediately contradicted the assumption that the boys get more focus. Heintz referenced the highly anticipated boys’ game against Rye High in comparison, which always seems to have a full crowd, to the sparser crowd at the rink for the girls’ games. Ironically, often the most vociferous fans at the girls’ games is the boy’s team. 

Despite some challenges, as a result of hard work, dedication to the sport and team, and improvement from each and every player, the winter Wildcat team should have some success. Returning seniors Morgan Daily, Payton Caggiano, and Charlotte Holtby, keys to last year’s success, will provide leadership (and goals) for the ‘Cats. Grace Allen ‘24 will provide stability and support among the forwards, while new players Ainslie Whitman ‘25 and Freya Collins ‘26 will share time between the pipes. The team looks forward to the familiar thrill and energy of the winter season when the season begins on November 29 at 5:00 inside the LaGrange Fieldhouse against the Section 1 co-op team, which consists of players from various Westchester County public schools.