Girls’ Varsity Hockey plays Pomfret School on December 13, 2023.
By Lucy Domingo ’26
Girls’ Varsity Hockey is going strong this season with a record of 12-5 (as of January 27), including a five-game winning streak. Their success this winter is rooted in their resilience, strong team bond, and diligent practices.
One standout moment was their 2-1 win over Phillips Academy — Andover on January 6. Although Choate was tied 1-1 with Andover for nearly the entire game, Caroline Holm ’24 scored the winning goal with just a couple minutes left on the clock. Not having won against Andover since the 2015-2016 season, this was an important victory for Girls’ Varsity Hockey.
Although the game took place on Andover’s campus, Choate’s other ice hockey teams were present to support from the sidelines. Head Coach Laura DiCarlo recalled the lively atmosphere of the game. “Our Boys’ Varsity team played right before us and upset Andover for the win, so we had some really good energy going.”
Goalkeeper Elsa Haakonsen ’24 appreciated the excitement in the air. “You could tell from the beginning of the game that it was going to be a good one; it was just electric … It was a great way to start January,” Haakonsen said.
Another memorable match for the team was their victory over The Hill School on January 12. A massive third-period comeback, with goals from Co-Captain Norah Morris ’24 and Maggie Swanson ’26, earned Choate a 3-1 win.
Goalkeeper Clara Kang ’26 enjoyed the Choate fans’ school spirit during the gold-themed Friday night home game. “Everybody was so fired up. The bench was going crazy, too. I loved it. I thought we had a good team vibe.”
Coach DiCarlo acknowledged the team’s improved record compared to previous years. “We’ve always been a competitive team, but this year, we are finding ways to win, which has been a difference-maker for us. You can see it in our record,” she said.
Coach DiCarlo’s coaching style focuses on individual skills, team dynamics, and effective communication. She emphasized that all players, regardless of how much time they spend on the ice, have a place on the team. “It’s still important to be ready and to know that they have a valuable role on the team,” she said. “Getting everybody to buy into that has been the most important piece of our success.”
In addition to leadership from the senior class, Coach DiCarlo also appreciated contributions from underclassman players, both on and off the ice.
“We have girls that are freshman and sophomores that are contributing in different ways, whether that’s on the scoreboard or just making really good plays and being leaders in the locker room,” she said.
Despite their frequent wins, the team has faced hurdles this season, from injuries and sickness to tough opponents. “It’s a resilient group, and we’ve done a lot of work to be able to support each other and bring each other up. It hasn’t all been great, but we’ve worked through the tough moments, whether that’s in practice [or] in games, and tried to be as mentally tough as we can,” Coach DiCarlo said.
A game against Canterbury School on January 20 tested the team’s resilience when multiple players on the team suffered injuries. Even with three injured defenders unable to play, the team showcased their competitive spirit and secured a 7-2 victory.
Morris emphasized the importance of playing their best regardless of circumstances. “It’s a very competitive league. The challenge for us is always being on top of our game; there’s no game off, we always have to be ready to go,” she said.
The team’s persistence is reflected in their attitude towards practice. The time commitment is significant: practice takes place six days a week, in addition to two weightlifting sessions and two to three games per week.
During practice, the team focuses on making continuous improvements. “One of the goals we had was to get a little better every day, so we always come into practice ready to work hard,” Morris said.
According to Haakonsen, the team’s positive attitude is a motivating factor during practice. “Everyone always tries to bring the energy. We say, ‘Bring 100 percent of what you have that day,’ and I think we do a great job of doing that,” she said.
With a month remaining in the season, the team will continue to work towards their goals of making it to the playoffs and winning the New England Preparatory School Girls’ Ice Hockey Association (NEPSGIHA) Championships. “We want to win, win big, win it all. But we’re taking it game by game and focusing on what’s next,” Haakonsen shared.
The team’s friendship and shared love for the sport of hockey shine through their success. Morris especially appreciates the presence of her teammates during training. “My favorite part is the team dynamic. We get along really well, and we are all super close,” she said. “We all love to play hockey, so it’s fun doing that together as a team with some of your best friends.”
