The New Jersey Colonials won half the Atlantic District berths into the Toyota-USA Hockey Girls National Championships for the second straight season.

The Colonials won the Tier I 16U and 14U titles to advance both teams to Tier I nationals March 26-30 in Green Bay, Wis. The Tier II 14U team also won a district title to advance to Tier II girls’ nationals March 26-30 in Lansing, Mich. The Atlantic tournament was played March 7-8 at the Ice Vault in Wayne, N.J.

Emma Polaski played a big role in the 16U title for the second straight year. She scored in all four games during the consecutive district championship sweeps of best-of-three series. Polaski also had the goal that clinched the nationals berth last season.

Polaski scored four goals and assisted on another in an opening 6-0 shutout of the Quakers, from West Chester, Pa. She added a goal and assist in the 8-2 win to wrap up the series in two games. Erin Gillon and Emma Seitz also scored in the two games, which were both played Saturday.

The Colonials and Chester County Cougars split their two Tier I 14U games on the first day, making a third game necessary. After the Colonials won the opener 6-1, the Cougars bounced back with a 4-2 victory. Isla Okkinga made 19 saves to help the Cougars take the decisive game, 3-1.

The Colonials 14U Tier II team had to battle for a sweep of its low-scoring series with the Hershey Bears. After allowing just 14 shots on goal in a 2-0 shutout, the Colonials ended the series with a 2-1 victory when Allie Moss scored in the second overtime.

Titans Taking Another Shot

The New Jersey Titans were the most successful of the Atlantic District teams at last year’s girls’ nationals, leading all Tier II 14U teams in scoring while taking the silver medal.

That group is a big part of this year’s 16U Tier II district champions, who swept the Montclair Blues, 5-1 and 3-2.

The Titans had the top three scorers at last year’s Tier II 14U nationals, and the second- and third-leading scorers from that group are on this year’s national-qualifying squad. Brianna Haviland, who was third at nationals with seven goals and eight assists in six games, had six goals in the district sweep. Haviland broke loose for four goals in the first game. Jessie DeVito, who had nine goals and seven assists at nationals, added the other goal.

The Blues came back strong in the second game, which was tied going into the third period. Ariel Gold made 39 saves and Julia Hoffman scored the winning goal with 3:01 left to secure the national berth.

In all, nine of the 12 players from last year’s national runner-ups will be getting another shot, including five of the team’s top six scorers in nationals. Izzy Engel, Caitlyn Keenan and Callie Haytaian followed DeVito and Haviland in the scoring. Claire Caroli, Tea Ferrara and Ally Freeman are also back along with Karoline Winzer, who played every game in goal and had a pair of shutouts.

Return Trip for Princeton

The Princeton Tiger Lilies will once again represent the district at nationals on the Tier II 19U level after getting past the New Jersey Rockets in a three-game series. Carlie Smythe scored the district-championship clinching goal for the third straight year. Two years ago, it was for a Tier II 16U nationals spot. The last two years it has been on the 19U level.

Smythe scored all four goals in the 4-2 Game 3 victory Sunday. The Tiger Lilies won the first game 3-1 before the Rockets posted a 3-0 shutout in Game 2.

No Sweep

The Rockets were trying to sweep the 19U titles after winning the Tier I title in two games the day before.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.