Super Night for Staples Girls Ice Hockey Team

It’s been a long wait, but the Staples girls ice hockey varsity team is celebrating its first victory after three years as a varsity team and five years after its founding.
The Staples girls ice hockey varsity team gained its first victory Saturday, defeating Stamford-Westhill 6-3. Contributed photo

The Saturday night 6-3 win over Stamford-Westhill at The Rinks at Shelton was especially gratifying as it was Senior Night, said Coach Peter R. Alfano, Jr., whose day job is teaching eighth grade science at Coleytown Middle School.

Senior Brittany Hamilin and sophomore Jessie Lepisto each had a pair of goals as seniors Jenna Chusid and Kate Shanahan each scored a goal as well.

Senior goaltender Gwen Moyer, the team’s only goaltender, played her best game of the season, making key saves at various times during the game to keep the Wreckers in the hunt. Moyer made 17 saves on 20 shots.

The team’s defense led by senior Freja Andrews, and juniors Kenzie Furman and Charlotte Axthelm made key plays throughout the game as well giving Moyer clear view of incoming shots.

“This is our third year as a varsity team playing FCIAC powerhouses such as New Canaan, Darien, Wilton, Greenwich, and Ridgefield,” said Alfano. “Since Westport does not have a youth hockey feeder program, girls ice hockey relies on its own players to recruit new teammates.”

To aid in the recruiting, this year the team will be hosting its first ever girls hockey clinic on Thursday, March 3 at Longshore Club Park from 6 to 7 p.m. with registration starting at 5:30 p.m.

“It is our hope that this will stimulate some interest in the team and start to put Staples girls ice hockey team on the map,” Alfano said.

At the Saturday night game, the team recognized its seven seniors, some of whom have played during their entire high school careers.

The team’s seniors are Captain Kate Shanahan, Captain Gwen Moyer, Brittany Hamlin, Emma Axthelm, Emma Malpeso, Jenna Chusid, and Freja Andrews.