Connect with us

Girls Hockey

Avon co-op girls hockey team earns first state tournament win

Avon High senior Sarah Murphy (17) scored a goal as the Avon co-op team beat Fairfield, 5-2 for their first-ever state tournament victory Monday at Newington Arena.  More game photos

NEWINGTON, March 2, 2020 – The Avon co-op girls hockey team won their first-ever state tournament game on Monday afternoon with a 5-2 win over the Fairfield co-op team in a Connecticut High School Girls Hockey Association contest at Newington Arena.

The Nighthawks (15-7-1) extended their program record for most wins in a season with their 15th victory of the season.

Seeded No. 6, the Nighthawks are making their first CHSGHA state tournament appearance in their third year as a program. Avon senior Sarah Murphy had a goal while Avon teammate Shelby Little had an assist.

The Nighthawks led 3-2 after two periods and didn’t give up a goal in the final period to No. 11 Fairfield Ludlowe/Warde co-op team, who finish the season at 10-10-1.

Avon’s Kori Bartko, right, battles for the puck in the corner during Monday’s state tournament game in Newington. Avon co-op eliminated Fairfield, 5-2. More game photos

Avon co-op advances to the quarterfinals and will face No. 3 Greenwich (12-4-3) on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Hamill Rink in Greenwich.

The Avon co-op, which includes five girls from Avon High, is comprised of players from six schools — Avon, Southington, RHAM, Newington, Wethersfield and Lewis Mills.

The Nighthawks finished third in the Central Connecticut Conference with a 5-4-1 record in the league. Avon co-op beat Suffield co-op, 5-1 in the CCC Tournament semifinals before dropping a 4-2 decision to league champion Simsbury in the CCC Tournament championship game.

Avon co-op 5, Fairfield co-op 2
At Newington
Fairfield co-op (10-10-1)        0   2   0   — 2
Avon co-op (15-7-1)                 2   1    2   — 5

Avon co-op’s Sophie Nower (67) and Fairfield’s Caroline Caccaro (2) race for the puck in Monday’s state tournament game in Newington. Avon co-op won, 5-2. More game photos

Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 40 years. He was inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018.

More in Girls Hockey