The Black and White

by Zoe Anderson

On March 18, a remarkable display of teamwork and determination led the girls hockey co-op team of Pilgrim, Toll Gate, West Warwick, and La Salle Academy to capture the Division I State Championship. Despite representing different schools, the team got closer throughout the season, ultimately forming a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level.

Under the leadership of head coaches Holly Scott-Haughey and Don Centracchio, along with assistant coach Maddie Balutowski, the team developed both skill and chemistry. Their efforts were guided on the ice by a strong leadership group from La Salle Academy, including head captains Noelle Pezzelli and Shannon Shea, with assistant captains Greta Tomka and Bridie Murphy providing additional support.

The championship game took place Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, where the co-op team faced off against the South County Storm. The game began as a defensive battle, with neither team able to find the back of the net early on. It wasn’t until late in the second period that the momentum shifted. With 8:14 remaining, assistant captain Bridie Murphy scored the first goal of the game, motivating the team.

From there, the intensity only increased. South County pressed hard to come back, but the team’s defense held strong. Goalie Kaylee Buttler delivered a standout performance, making crucial saves that kept her team in control throughout the game. Defensive player Greta Tomka also played a pivotal role, stopping breakaways and disrupting South County’s offensive rhythm with key plays.

Offensively, the pressure remained steady. Lauren Bastion and Noelle Pezzelli had multiple shots on goal, keeping Storm on their heels. As the clock wound down and South County pulled their goalie in a last attempt to tie, Annalise Semiao sealed the victory with an empty-net goal within the last 20 seconds of the game. 

The final buzzer marked not just a win, but the culmination of a season defined by resilience and unity. Sophomore Isabelle Laudon of Pilgrim reflected on the journey, saying, “Winning the State Championship was a great feeling after having to overcome a lot of adversity during the season. Putting two different playing styles and philosophies together is no easy task, but in the end we became a family—and with that family, we took down the South County Storm co-op.”

The championship victory stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, as well as the unwavering support from coaches, families, schools, and teammates that made the achievement possible.