Finding themselves in a close, low-scoring game against a quality opponent is nothing new to the New Jersey Rockets Tier I 19U girls’ hockey team.

By the time the Rockets wound up in that situation in the Atlantic District playoffs Saturday at the Ice Vault in Wayne, N.J., they were well prepared to produce the victories that qualified the team to play at the Toyota-USA Hockey Tier I Girls’ National Championships March 26-30 in Green Bay, Wis.

The Rockets edged the Quakers, from West Chester, Pa., 1-0 and 2-1, to sweep the best-of-three series.

New Jersey went 13-13-2-2 to place fourth out of six teams in the first year of the New England Women’s Junior Hockey League, but that was just part of an ambitious schedule that included more than 70 games. The Rockets also played in tournaments in Canada and had other games against top teams from the northeastern United States.

“Every good team there is, we play,” Rockets coach Mark Hurle said.

The 19U/junior team draws players from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Long Island. Many of the New Jersey players came up through the younger Rockets girls’ teams, but the team also includes players who were part of other programs before joining the older Rockets squad.

Every player on the Rockets roster has been recruited by an NCAA school, something with which the New Jersey Women’s Junior Hockey League has assisted.

“That’s one good thing about the league; a lot of scouts watch it all the time,” Hurle said. “That’s what it’s all about.

“The wins and going to nationals is great, but the whole thing is to place the girls in college and get them ready to play in college. That’s the main goal.”

Five of the girls have already announced their college commitments.

Leading scorer Julianne Mauriello is headed to Lake Forest College. Grace Keogh committed to Wesleyan University, Lyndsay Miller to Trinity College, Anna Madarasz to Hobart and William Smith College, and goalie Iliriana Berisha to SUNY-Canton.

Berisha has played most of the time in goal for the Rockets, posting a 1.41 goals-against average and .939 save percentage in league play.

The Rockets were stingy as a whole, giving up just 43 goals in 30 league games.

“Every game is close,” Hurle said. “We’ve played 0-0 ties, 2-1, 1-nothing. Our games have all been tight.

“It’s been paying off because now, at the end of the season, we’re really strong. You can see the difference, we’re beating a lot of good teams now.”

That included the Quakers.

Caitlin Costello scored the only goal of the opener of the Atlantic District series against the Quakers, with her tally coming late in the second period for a 1-0 victory.

Noelle Niemiec brought the Rockets from behind on a goal with five minutes left in the second game, before Kathleen McNamara wrapped up the title in dramatic fashion, scoring with seven seconds left for the 2-1 victory.

Berisha, who led the New Jersey Women’s Junior Hockey League in shutouts with seven, was in goal for both wins.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.