On Senior Give Back Night, the Avalanche Sends a Message

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On Friday January 26 the Avalanche Girls varsity hockey team faced Ridgefield at the Brewster Ice Arena, and good skating playing out once again, the growing popularity of the sport always makes the setting joyous. But the evening also came with a serious undertone.

“Morgan’s Message strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student athlete community,” states the program’s vision.” And the combined team of Northern Westchester players chose this cause for their annual senior give back.

Specifically, Ossining’s Adrienne Kantrowitz was the driving force as the team’s only senior. “Morgan’s Message spreads awareness, it’s an organization that empowers athletes and is something so special to me,” said the young advocate.

Scoring the go-ahead goal in a 4-1 Avalanche victory probably wasn’t bad either. “I came from my goal, went through mid ice, took it wide to the left and ripped it,” she said of her second period goal at 7:00.

But the first period did have more opportunities land in the path of Avalanche goalie Lily Stanzione. Not giving any ground, the Byram Hills freshman turned away seven shots, and it didn’t go unnoticed “I’m biased, but we have the best goalies in the state of New York,” said John Jay’s Kathryn Becker.

A two man disadvantage included, she kept the game even up until Lindsey Smith’s rush disrupted the status quo. The Brewster Bear’s shot going wide, Becker garnered the puck on the boards, got it to Devan DiCintio and she scored at 3:55.

Keeping the pressure on, the Avalanche drew a penalty 38 seconds later and Kantrowitz didn’t relent. The lefty almost had a tip in and put another tough one on Ridgefield’s Casey Rosenberg.

Ridgefield didn’t succumb to the momentum, though. With 32 seconds left in the first, Kelsey Gott fed Zener Dzaferovic, and she evened the game.

Even so, John Jay came out shooting after the first intermission. North Salem’s Abigail Lehr maneuvered for a shot on the side and another Smith rush harried Rosenberg.

Denied nonetheless, the coach saw the writing on the wall. “We started to play the hockey we normally play,” said Wierl.

The defense still had to do their thing, though, and Stanzione stood first. Delaney Sheppard skated on the right, and after hitting Mia D’Andraia on the left, the goalie got the snare.

Moments later, D’Andraia was on it again, and so was Stanzione. A load thud off the pads, the goaltender deflected the shot wide at 8:15.

So Kantrowitz took her turn. She lifted the shot above Rosenberg’s shoulder, and the team was up in arms.

Halfway there, the Avalanche implemented their platoon system in goal, and in came Jasmine Korinek. She quickly got a save and then the Carmel Ram got a 90 second hiatus.

Katie Anderson drew a penalty, and the Pawling Tiger kept the pressure on in front of the goal. Putting Ridgefield on scramble, Lehr unleashed a shot from the point and Smith tipped in the rebound at 4:20.

The lead holding up into the third, the Avalanche kept skating. Three times Lehr put Rosenberg on alert, but Ridgefield wasn’t giving in.

No problem, Korinek had three crucial saves to keep it a two goal game, which had Wierl sending praise in both directions. “I believe our offense begins with our goaltending,” she said.

The defense then takes the cue, according to Wierl’s philosophy, and Lehr made good with 48 seconds left in the game. “I wanted the goal so bad - especially since I’ve played with a lot of these girls from Ridgefield,” said the defender.

All on the same team when it comes to the cause, Wierl gave voice to the universal need. “We are all dealing with something,” she said. “The highs and lows of life, we need to take care of one another and surround ourselves with the right people.”

So an organization supporting student athletes, Wierl praised Kantrowitz’s choice and commitment. “Adrienne did a fantastic job,” concluded the coach.