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Frisch Girls Hockey Make History in Winning Championship
6/21/2016 12:45
The Frisch girls hockey team faced off last Friday against the undefeated Heschel Heat at TABC. As the defending champions the Frisch Cougars had high expectations going into the season.  Their season got off to an auspicious start with a home loss (4-1) to SAR and an overtime loss (4-3) to HAFTR on the road. Frisch got back on track with a home win (4-1) against Ramaz but fell to Heschel (2-0) at home and then lost a nail biter (3-2) against Ma'ayanot.  Frisch got it's second win in Westchester (7-0) but fell at Kushner (1-0) and again at Ma'ayanot in overtime (3-2) to close the season at 2-4-0-2. Despite their record Frisch went into the playoffs a confident team.  Frisch lost many close games in the regular season but knew if they could get into the playoffs they would overcome any obstacles they faced in the regular season and they could persevere in the playoffs.  As the #4 seed in the Western division Frisch went on the road to SAR, the East # 1 seed and defeated them by a score of 5-4. The other 3 Western division teams, Heschel, Kushner & Ma'ayanot also won their quarter-final matchups leading to an all West semi-final round. #1 seed Heschel had a 3-2 come from behind victory over # 3 seed Ma'ayanot to send them to the Championship for the first time in 4 years. Frisch traveled to #2 seed Kushner for the second time this year in what turned out to be an epic comeback. Down 2 goals going into the third period Frisch scored halfway through on a top corner rip by junior offensman Tara Davidoff and then tied up the game with a minute remaining in regulation on a beautiful shot by Senior offensman Sigal Levine. With momentum on their side and a tiring Kushner team, Frisch didn't let up and scored about 5 minutes into overtime on a half court shot by Joelle Solowiejczyk to send them to the championship with the 4-3 victory and the feeling of 'no one can stop us if we just play our game because no one wanted it more'.
 
In what has to be one of the most unique situations ever in Yeshiva sports; Frisch had now matched their regular season win total of 2 in the playoffs with a chance to have more playoffs victories than regular season ones. The Frisch team was eager to take on this challenge and take on the undefeated Heat.

 

The stands were packed that Friday afternoon at TABC in what was a highly anticipated championship game. Heschel had only given up 7 goals total in all their regular season and playoff games combined but Frisch came in the more experienced team having played in the previous 3 championships and winning 2 of them. Both Frisch and Heschel came out with a lot of energy as the game began but Frisch controlled the game early. After five minutes of good offensive pressure, junior defenseman Aliza Pavel took possession of the ball deep in the Frisch zone and proceeded to stick handle around 3 Heschel players bring the ball up along the right wing, She then made a perfect pass  across to junior offensman Hannah Weisbrot who was cutting to the net. Weisbrot one-timed the ball inside the far post putting the cougars up 1-0. With 4:25 left in the first period Frisch was called for High sticking. Frisch’s penalty kill unit consisting of defenseman, senior captain Talia Levie, Aliza Pavel and junior offensman Talya Gellis were outstanding shuting down Heschel's powerplay not giving up a shot on goal. The period ended with Frisch playing stellar defensive hockey and in control of the game. In the second period Heschel turned up the heat, establishing themselves down low in the offensive zone and creating several scoring chances. Nechama Levie was a wall in net stopping several point blank shots to preserve the shutout. Momentum had shifted toward the Heat as the period wound down but Hannah Weisbrot singlehandedly took control in the last minute of the second period swinging momentum back in favor of the Cougars. With the third and final period looming the nerves of both teams were heightened with only 12 minutes remaining.  The Frisch Cougars were confident and knew what they had to do; limit Heschel's shots and maintain constant pressure. Frisch continued to put pressure on the Heat with several great shots but Heschel's goalie made some outstanding saves to keep them in the game. Halfway through the third period Heschel was called for a checking penalty. Frisch's powerplay unit of Weisbrot, junior offensman Abigail Rochlin, Gellis and Pavel kept constant pressure on but couldn't put one home. The fans were so loud that the whistle was often inaudible.  With less than a minute remaining in regulation Heschel pulled their goalie to get an extra attacker on. Frisch would not relent and with less than a second remaining Weisbrot scored her second goal in the empty net as time ran out giving the Frisch Cougars a 2-0 lead and the championship win. The team celebrated what was truly an amazing game played, a real team effort and an improbable season winning more playoff games than regular season ones. Nechama Levie was named game MVP for her stellar play in net and getting the shutout. The seniors Talia Levie, Sigal Levine and Miriam Reichman ended their Frisch hockey careers on a high winning their 3rd championship in 4 years.