Rapids U12 finish second at USA Nationals
2010-04-11
Brooke Solomon, above, had a hat trick to pace the Susquehanna U12 team over Brewster, N.Y. in national tournament quarter-finals Saturday morning in MichiganMORE RAPIDS PHOTOS
April 11 -- Susquehanna's quest for the first national title -- for either a boys team or girls team from USA Hockey's Southeastern District -- came to an abrupt end Sunday morning with an 8-2 loss to the Bay State Breakers, third-place finishers in the Massachusetts District playoff, behind Assabet Valley and East Coast Wizards. The Rapids finished second in the nation in USA Hockey's first-ever Tier II tournament and, by making the championship game, went further than any other Southeastern or Atlantic District team this year. Only one other SE District team, a Midgets U18AA, ever made the finals of a national championship. Congratulations, girls! You made us proud.
April 10 -- The Susquehanna Rapids U12 -- coached by John Ricci, Jeff Solomon and Debbie Bradley -- defeated the Alaska Icebreakers, 2-0, Saturday afternoon to advance to the final game of the USA Hockey Tier II National Championship in East Lansing, Mich. The Rapids become the first BYH-registered team -- and the only girls team in Maryland or Virginia -- to advance through the semifinals to a national championship game.
April 10 -- The U12 Rapids early today defeated the Brewster Lady Bulldogs, 4-2, in the quarter-final round of USA Hockey's National Girls Tournament in East Lansing, Michigan. Cayley Ruanne opened scoring early in first period and Brooke Solomon had a natural hat trick. The Rapids now advance to the semifinalsat 4 pm Saturday against the Alaska Icebreakers. Follow the action on Twitter.com (Rapidsicehockey) or on Facebook by joining the Susquehanna Rapids Facebook Group.
April 9 -- The U12 Rapids won their Friday morning game, 2-0, over the Connecticut Ice Cats for their third win in the national tournament, headed for a Saturday quarter-final round. Game three was scoreless until just over two minutes into the second period when Katilin Parent scored from in front of the net after taking a backhand pass from Lillian Kashishian. This goal was also assisted by Eleanor Hudson (third assist in three games); what a playmaker she has been at Nationals. The score remained 1 to 0 until Brooke Solomon scored with just under four minutes left in the game to seal the victory and give the Rapids its third victory in as many days. The second and final goal of the game was assisted by MacKenzie Kelly. This game included some great defensive play by Courtney Ricci, Kelsey Bradley, Shaylin and Cayley Ruane, who have been outstanding all year long. Michelle Silver was solid in goal, posting the shutout.
The three victories by the Rapids gave them seven points at Nationals and a number one seed going into the single elimination playoff round. The Rapids will take on the Brewster Lady Bulldogs in the National Quarterfinals Saturday morning at 8 AM.
April 8 -- The Susquehanna Rapids won game two of Nationals in a shootout by the score of 2 to 1. The Rapids once again fell behind early as the
Glenview Stars opened the scoring in the first period and held a 1 to 0 lead into the second. The Rapids came back to tie the game the second period on an outstanding play as Eleanor
Hudson passed behind the net to Cierra Siemasko who put the puck on Brooke Solomon’s stick in front of the net. This would be another nail-biter as both teams had opportunities to win in the third period. Lizzie Yu was fantastic in goal as she kept this game tied at one and the game went to overtime. Both teams came up empty in the five-minute overtime period despite some excellent chances. The outcome was decided in a shootout.
Glenview went first and Lizzie Yu came up big as she turned the first shot away. The Rapids turned to Kelsey Bradley to get things started and she did not disappoint, tucking in a shot around the Stars goalie. The next three shooters on both teams did not score as Lizzie was coming up big one shot after another. Courtney Ricci who could end the game by scoring and putting the Rapids up by two with only one Stars shooter remaining. Courtney skated in and fired a wrist shot that beat the Stars goalie high stick side and the Rapids began their second extra time victory celebration in as many days. Our team has come up with outstanding team efforts in its first two games at Nationals. Keep it up, girls. Game three Friday against the
Connecticut Ice Cats at 11 am, with a chance to clinch a number one seed moving into Saturday's quarterfinals.
April 7 -- The U12 Susquehanna Rapids (celebrating, above, in photo by Sean Ruane) defeated the Alaska Icebreakers, 3 to 2, on a goal by Courtney Ricci approximately three minutes into sudden death overtime, assisted by Brooke Solomon. The overtime goal came after Brooke Solomon scored shorthanded to tie the game up at 2-2 with just six seconds left in regulation. The assist went to Lilllian Kashishian , who was on the ice after the Rapids pulled their goalie, Michelle Silver.
The Rapids fell behind 2 to 0 in the second period, before Cierra Siemasko scored on a wrap around from behind the net, assisted by Eleanor Hudson, who stole the puck with a great forechecking effort getting the Rapids back into the game at 2 to 1 at the end of the second period.
In the third period, the Rapids had chances but it appeared they would come up short as the puck would not go in the net. The Rapids outshot the Alaskan Icebreakers 16 to 8 during regulation. However, with just six seconds left in the game, Solomon scored to force overtime and this game was going to overtime.
The Rapids began the overtime shorthanded with approximately a minute and a half left on a penalty carrying over from regulation. With approximately three minutes left in overtime the Rapids were once called for a penalty. However, the Rapids scored shorthanded on a shot from the point from Courtney Ricci and the Rapids took game one of Nationals.
Game two is Thursday at 430 PM against the Glenview Stars from Chicago. Lets go Rapids!
April 5 --
Good luck to the Rapids U12 players and coaches as they head off to Nationals. The team's last practice is Monday evening at York, 6-7:30 pm, if you want to see them off personally. Go Rapids!
You can follow the Rapids through the national tournament by signing up for Twitter.com and getting Tweets through RapidsIceHockey on your cell phone.
Live pay-per-view feeds via the USA Hockey web site.
Thank you to everyone who supported the U12 Rapids in their fundraising efforts for the trip to Michigan.
March 13 --
The U12 Rapids defeated the Southern Flyers, 4-2, Saturday night to become the first Susquehanna team to win USA Hockey's Southeastern District championship. The team will represent the sprawling Southeastern District at USA Hockey Tier II girls nationals, the first of its kind, next month in East Lansing, Michigan.
Congratulations to all the girls and to head coach John Ricci, and assistants Jeff Solomon and Debbie Bradley. More details to follow.
March 12--
The U12 Rapids defeated the Southern Flyers, 4-3, in a seesaw battle between evenly matched teams this afternoon in the opening game of the first-ever Southeastern District Tier II tournament in North Carolina. The winner of the best-of-three playoff goes to USA Hockey's inaugural Tier II national tournament.
The game was scoreless until Brooke Solomon (unassisted) scored in the second period to give the Rapids the lead. The Flyers responded by tying the game before Holly Erbe (assisted by Madison Riley and Lillian Kashishian) gave the Rapids a 2-1 lead. The Flyers once again tied the game, and this time Madison Riley (assisted by Mackenzie Kelly and Cierra Siemasko) scored to put the Rapids on top, 3-2.
The Susquehanna lead did not last long as the Flyers tied the game at 3 before the end of the second period.
In the third period, both teams had numerous opportunities to score but the goaltenders were outstanding in net. Then, with just over three minutes left in the game, Brooke Solomon (assisted by Madison Riley and Courtney Ricci) struck again with a goal that gave the Rapid the 4-3 victory.
This was an outstanding team effort with outstanding goaltending by Michelle Silver. The Rapids defense played outstandingly while limiting a strong-skating Flyers team to 14 shots on goal.
Feb. 28 --
The Susquehanna Rapids U12 team Sunday defeated the CBHL regular-season champion Reston Raiders to advance to USA Hockey's Southeastern District Tier II playoff in North Carolina. As winners of Sunday's game, the Rapids will represent our regional affiliate, the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association, in a best-of-three series with the Southern Flyers March 12-14.
It was a big weekend for the Rapids, as they also clinched first place in their MAWHA division with a hard-fought, 2-1 win over the New Jersey Colonials at York Saturday afternoon.
The Rapids' Brooke Solomon scored with just under two minutes left in the game to give the Rapids the victory. Brooke also scored the first goal, with assists in this game going to Madison Riley and Courtney Ricci.
The second game with the Colonials on Sunday morning ended in a scoreless tie.
Both goalies, Lizzie Yu and Michelle Silver, played with excellence in goal. Courtney Ricci, Kelsey Bradley, Shaylin Ruane, Cayley Ruane, MacKenzie Kelly, Eleanor Hudson, Holly Erbe, Kaitlin Parent, Cierra Siemasko, and Lillian Kashishian all contributed to the team's success.
The Rapids ended the MAWHA regular season with a record of 12-1-2. They are coached by John Ricci, Jeff Solomon and Debbie Bradley.
The Rapids open their MAWHA playoffs next Saturday against the Quarry Cats. The Rapids U14 and U19 Red will also compete in the league playoffs. Go Rapids!April 5 --
Good luck to the Rapids U12 players and coaches as they head off to Nationals. The team's last practice is Monday evening at York, 6-7:30 pm. Go Rapids!
You can follow the Rapids through the national tournament by signing up for Twitter.com and getting Tweets through RapidsIceHockey on your cell phone.
Thank you to everyone who supported the U12 Rapids in their fundraising efforts for the trip to Michigan.
The Susquehanna Rapids Under-12 team defeated the Southern Flyers, 4-2, Saturday night in North Carolina to become the first Baltimore Youth Hockey team to win USA Hockey's Southeastern District championship. The team will represent the sprawling district at USA Hockey's girls national tournament next month in East Lansing, Michigan. Congratulations to all the girls and to head coach John Ricci, and assistants Jeff Solomon and Debbie Bradley. More details to follow.
The Suquehanna Rapids are the sister teams of Baltimore Stars, part of BYH and a collaboration with Howard County Youth Hockey, York Ice Hockey Club and Lancaster County Youth Amateur Hockey League. For more information: www.susquehannarapids.org
Feb. 28: The Susquehanna Rapids Under-14 team won their CBHL playoff championship Sunday in Laurel, with an exciting win over Reston. Meanwhile, the Rapids U12 won their Mid-Atlantic league title, and the Rapids U19 Tier I team finished third in their senior division. The six Rapids teams are part of Baltimore Youth Hockey and offer ice hockey for girls from 8 to 19 years of age. The Rapids offer developmental, intermediate and college-bound levels of play.
