BRIDGEWATER—The Hilltoppers girls ice hockey team (0-3-1) came out looking strong but was unable to sustain the effort in Friday night's game against Princeton Day School.
Catherine Stuart-Humphrey scored the first goal of the game on an assist from Clare O'Malley. Stuart-Humphrey and O'Malley, both freshman, join senior Jenn Stabler as part the new first line combination.
"In the last game we found a solid first line with Clare O'Malley, Jenn Stabler and Stuart-Humphrey," said Summit head coach Matt Stanbro. "They have good chemistry and things seem to be working."
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The second goal of the game was an unassisted goal from sophomore Katie Birle who skated very well and remained a constant threat throughout the game.
For the Hilltoppers, the first period looked good all-around. The passing has improved significantly from the beginning of the season, and the shots on goal kept constant pressure on Princeton Day.
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"Anna Johnson and Caroline Hurkes are playing some very solid hockey," said Coach Stanbro. "Our third line of Grace Berkery, Anna Johnson, and Marion Sayre surpassed all my expectations. And our freshman are really starting to step up."
The Hilltoppers went into the locker room at the end of the first period up 2-0.
"We beat (Princeton Day) to the puck, and we were outskating them," said Coach Stanbro "but after the two goals we toned it down and never came back."
The second period belonged to Princeton Day entirely, as they scored five unanswered goals on the Hilltoppers.
"In the second period PDS really stepped up and we didn't match them," said Stanbro. "We were sloppy defensively. We need to clean up our coverage and play our positions."
The Hilltoppers came out more organized in the third period and tried to attack the goal, but they were unable to score. Several breakaways were excellent opportunities that we just stopped by a very good Princeton Day goalie. PDS netted one more goal to win the game 6-2.
"We did a lot of little things right," said Coach Stanbro. "Now we need to put in a full effort for all 45 minutes."
The Hilltoppers will rest for a day before facing Hill this Sunday at Bayonne at 11:15 a.m.
