Girls’ high school hockey growing, going places

No experience compares to her time on the ice for St. FX, Sarah Foley told players in the Valley’s high school hockey league.

Foley, a NKEC grad and one of the first female hockey players in the Valley, was the guest speaker at the league’s closing banquet March 31 in Auburn. She’s now a second-year dentistry student at Dalhousie, and just helped coach the Metro Halifax Midget AAA girls to a provincial title. “I’ve got a strong love and passion for the game of hockey, and I’ve had the chance to witness the growth of the female game - and it continues to grow. “I experienced a lot of firsts, and historical moments.”

She cited a 2005 fifth-place national game win with St. FX as a highlight: the first ever win by an AUS team at the CIAU tournament. In 2007, St. FX lost a bronze at the CIAU finals - but it was the AUS’s first ever medal game chance. In 2009, she played with team Nova Scotia at the Esso national championship, bringing home the province’s first medal, a bronze. “I feel fortunate - and I think you girls should, too,” she said. “It’s not just a sport. It can teach you almost any lesson life can teach you.”

As a chemistry undergrad, Foley said there were lots of sacrifices: time at the beach or at the gym or rink, socializing or homework, dances or practices. “It’s not always easy, but it is worth it 100 per cent. Every year, I had 23 friends at the rink, six of seven days a week, ready to greet me, laugh with me, cry with me, tease me - whatever. “Thank your coaches - and make sure you’re coachable. That can be hard. Thank your parents, because they’ve put in lots of money, time and rough rides home - but they’re always on your side. And, believe in yourself and go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

One hundred and one girls in the eight-team league scored at least one point through the 08/ 09 season, reported statistician Scott Turnbull, “spicing up” some of the details. There were 319 goals, 24 shut-outs and 435 penalty minutes: “Who says it’s not a contact sport?”

Just one win separated league winners Middleton from Barrington, which finished at 12-1-1 to Barrington’s 11-1-2.

Middleton also had the league’s top-scorer - for the second year in a row: Tabby Bent, who marked 2.29 points per game for a total of 32.

At provincials, Middleton lost two overtime games to teams that ended up facing each other in the final. Coaching team Greg and Allie Gillis commended the girls on a “huge effort.”

Long-time league volunteer Becky Cleveland urged schools, parents and players to get involved in the game, with a 2009/ 2010 planning meeting set for Berwick’s town hall at 7 p.m. April 8. “If you want a place to play, and you want it for your daughters, we need some new faces,” she said. “There are great things about this league.” ---

LEAGUE AWARDS:

League leading scorer - Tabby Bent, Middleton (second year in a row), 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points

Least-penalized team - Horton, 24 minutes

Coach of the year - Mark Smith, Barrington

Peter Connell Memorial Award for league winners - Middleton

Goaltenders’ Award (new) - Kate O’Brien, West Kings

League MVP - Jenny Muggah, Northeast Kings ---

TEAM AWARDS:

Avon View - MVP: Melissa Bahri, Coaches’ Award: Emily Rafuse

Central Kings - MVP: Trissa Dunham, Coaches’ Award: Jenna Greenough

Horton - MVP: Alex Johnson, Coaches’ Award: Jory Russell

Middleton - MVP: Magen Hudgins, Coaches’ Award: Tabby Bent

Northeast Kings - MVP: Jenny Muggah, Coaches’ Award: Alicia Kennedy

Park View - MVP: Moira Frier, Coaches’ Award: Savannah Mossman

West Kings - MVP: Kate O’Brien, Coaches’ Award: Chelsea Doyle

Barrington - MVP: Sharayah Banks, Coaches’ Award: Tineah Nickerson ---

TOP SCORERS:

1. Tabby Bent, Middleton 16 G, 16 A, 32 PTS

2. Aleisha Williams, Middleton 15 G, 12 A, 27 PTS

3. Moria Frier, Park View, 16 G, 5 A, 21 PTS

4. Katie Maxwell, Barrington, 14 G, 7 A, 21 PTS

5. Sharayah Banks, Barrington, 12 G, 8 A, 20 PTS

6. Sam Elliott, Middleton, 6 G, 11 A, 17 PTS

7. Savannah Mossman, Park View, 5 G, 12 A, 17 PTS

8. Katie Comely, Barrington, 6 G, 10 A, 16 PTS

9. Janaya Nickerson, Barrington, 11 G, 4 A, 15 PTS

10. Carly Gillis, Middleton, 3 G, 12 A, 15 PTS