Boys and Girls Varsity Hockey (2023-2024)
By WILLIAM INOUE ‘27
From addressing mental health to punching a hole into the playoffs, the Phillips Exeter Academy hockey teams have done a marvelous job this past winter. With their numerous games over the season, the boys’ and girls’ teams have had ups and downs, but emerged hopeful and committed either way.
Girls’ hockey pre-season occurred in Exeter a week before winter term. It was a great time for the team to get together before classes started and to build a strong team bond. It was extremely important for preps as this was the time for them to be able to know upperclassmen. It was also a time for captains to be chosen and teams to know each other. They had two practices daily to get a jump start on the season.
The jump start worked great, as the girls’ team was able to hold a win streak of five games toward the start of the season. These games brought the team spirit up, and the saying, “I got your back,” was born. The team had a great time playing these games, and the back-to-back victories prepped them harder for the next one.
After some up-and-down wins and losses, the team was ecstatic after a 1-0 victory against St. Paul’s School. As St. Paul’s is a school well-known for their girls’ hockey team, it was a delightful shock when Emma Shu was able to sneak in a lone goal for the entire game. The team morale was high, and everyone was extremely happy about this win.
Yet, the best highlight for the girls this season was being able to play in the play-offs. The girls’ hockey team has not done this since 2009, and it was a great time for graduating seniors and incoming preps. People could see and feel that the teams were improving year by year, and no one could predict the future.
The girls’ team also participated in Morgan’s Message, an event that raised awareness about mental health. They wrapped their sticks in teal in an attempt to spread awareness about the event.
The boys’ team had a busy season, with a total of 30 games played, and a final record of 13 wins, 12 losses, and five ties. They started off the season strong with three wins against Kents Hill School, North Yarmouth Academy, and Standstead. Many of the team’s games grew exciting as the matches ran into overtime three times, in one of which upper Dryden Durvish delivered a decisive 5-4 win over Albany Academy in the alst 35 seconds. The team also notably had a three-match win streak of 4-0, 3-0, and 7-0 against the Northfield Mount Hermon School, the Portsmouth Abbey School, and Deerfield Academy respectively.
The teams performed well on the ice this winter season and are sure to come back even stronger next year.
