DUBLIN - The U12 Sting played their second game of the season against the Penguins at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. The Sting lost the game 10-3, but the girls played with great energy and emotion all game.
The Penguins scored the first couple goals, but it took many passes, shots, and hard skating to do so. The girls were strong with their sticks and skated hard in traffic, winning many puck battles.
#46 Maria Granger scored the first goal of the game and the season for the Sting, potting a rebound past the skilled Penguin goaltender late in the first period. Granger's goal was a terrific individual effort, as she corralled the puck from the top of the defensive zone, skated between two defenders and buried the chance. The score of the game was 5-1 midway through the second period.
10 year-old Emma Titus, a first-year goaltender, moved well from post to post and made some very good saves. #41 Kira Collins, a rising offensive star and 1st line left wing, scored a great goal, launching a wrister from 20 feet over the goalie's glove. Kira celebrated by skating by the bench and touching gloves with her teammates. It was the second goal of the season and certainly not Kira's last. We can't remember if there was an assist handed out, but it's really not important, since the girls are making great passes!
"The Penguins had some good players. They really know how to shoot," said Titus, the diminutive 51" netminder. "Our defense did great clearing the crease and moving their team. Jess was awesome and so was Bree and Taylor on the point. There weren't too many rebounds." she said.
#50 Taylor Brandeburg battled hard and kept several scoring chances alive by keeping the puck in the offensive zone. #45 Whitney Karg did a very nice job breaking up several Penguin passes in the defensive zone. #55 Hannah Manion showed good patience with the puck, making several nice passes. #51 Jessie Amstein protected the front of the net and broke up a couple odd-man rushes, with great stick work and hard skating.
"The girls are really doing a great job," said head coach Emily Moersdorf after the game. "We'll keep working on our positional play at practice this week and look forward to our next game," she added.
