Written By: Zara Khemlani

As the 2024-2025 winter season begins, the Rye Country Day School’s Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team is preparing for a competitive and exciting season. This year, captains Julia Heintz ‘25 and Freya Collins ‘26 bring both leadership and skill to the rink and are ready to guide the team. “I’m personally looking forward to our game against GCDS because in the past, the score has been very close, so it will be a very competitive game,” Collins said, highlighting one of the team’s most anticipated matchups. Heintz commented on her excitement for a new coaching staff this year after beloved Coach Castagna’s retirement. “We are looking forward to having a young group of talent that we can work and have fun with this season,” Heintz stated. 

The team had their first match against Section 1 East on December 3rd, and it was an exhilarating game with a tied final score of 3 to 3. The three incredible goals were scored by Olivia Bongiorni ‘26, Summer Sisitsky ‘27, and Alexandra Lund ‘28. Bongiorni scored Rye Country Day’s first goal of the season and reflected on her experience by stating, “It was a competitive game and we battled hard to make a comeback from 3-0. Lots of players stepped up blocking shots, crashing the net, and picking up sticks in front. Now we have to carry this intensity with us for games to come.” After Sisitsky’s amazing goal, she shared, “This was a great game. The team’s chemistry was shown through our plays and was reflected in our performance. I’m excited to see this team continue to progress and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Rye Country Day. Let’s go Girls Varsity Hockey!” Lund tied the game with a phenomenal shot and stated, “We really worked together as a team and our communication was great, so we are really excited for the rest of the season!” With these amazing players and collaboration, the team is expected to have an amazing year.

Looking ahead, the season will be packed with 10 more matches. Their next games are against Morristown Beard on December 19th and, after winter break, against Sacred Heart Greenwich on January 14th. Be sure to show up and support your fellow Wildcats when they have home games! Good luck to the Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team, and we hope they have an incredible rest of the winter season. 

Roll Cats!