OFF THE CHARTS: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey star Megan Ofner fires the puck in a game earlier this season. Senior forward Ofner ended her PDS career with a bang last weekend, tallying a total of three goals and three assists as PDS topped host Shady Side Academy (Pa.) 4-3 and Portledge School (N.Y.) 4-2 on the way to winning the ‘B’ bracket of the WIHLMA (Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic). The Panthers, who ended the season with a 10-7 record, also got three goals from Mackenzie Howe and one apiece from Robin Linzmayer and Mimi Matthews over the weekend. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Ashley Egner could barely skate when she joined the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team as a freshman in 2008 while Lucy Marquez hadn’t played one minute at goalie when she took over as the squad’s netminder a year later.

Last Wednesday, the two showed how much they have improved over their careers, starring in their final home appearance on the program’s annual Senior Night.

Forward Egner tallied three goals and her first career hat trick while backup goalie Marquez looked sharp in making 19 saves as the Panthers topped Summit 8-1.

The PDS senior group, which also includes top scorer and two-time captain Megan Ofner, went on to finish the season with a bang, winning the ‘B’ bracket of the WIHLMA (Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic) tournament last weekend.

The Panthers topped host Shady Side Academy (Pa.) 4-3 in the semis before defeating the Portledge School (N.Y.) 4-2 in the title game. Forward Ofner, who is headed to the Sacred Heart women’s hockey program led the way, notching two goals and two assists in the semis before tallying a goal and two assists in the title game as the Panthers ended the winter with a 10-7 record.

For Egner, the home finale triggered some deep emotions. “I was really excited but also sad,” said Egner, who served as a tri-captain of the team along with her two classmates.

“There are only three seniors on our team and our team is so small; we get really close through the season and it has gone by so quickly. It means so much; everyone is so excited by the games. It is nice knowing that the whole team is there for you.”

Egner showed some quickness when she scored a superb breakaway goal in the second period that gave PDS a 3-1 lead.

“I wasn’t expecting that at all; I just saw an opening,” said Egner, who is headed to Union where she may play club hockey.

“Lorna [PDS head coach Lorna Gifis Cook] always tends to go wide and cut in and take a shot. I just kind of did it and it just happened to go in. I thought she was going to save it but it hit off her glove. It was a hard shot; if it was softer it probably wouldn’t have gone in. That was awesome.”

Marquez, for her part, wasn’t expecting to make any saves on Wednesday, having spent the last two seasons as a back-up for star goalie Daisy Mase.

“I found out right when we were about to start; I was so excited,” said Marquez, reflecting on getting the starting assignment.

“I was so happy, normally Daisy starts; it was just a thrill. I was nervous because Lorna had told me that if we were down by a lot, she would have to put Daisy in.”

Marquez quickly overcame her nerves, making two saves in the first minutes of the contest.

“Normally the first couple of shots is what really wakes you up and gets you going so those really got me going,” said Marquez.

“That was probably the most focused game I have ever played as well. I was like oh my god, this is my last game, I can’t slip up. This is it.”

For Marquez, her last game turned out to be one of her best. “The game was terrific; everyone played so well together,” asserted Marquez.

“I have never seen the team this year play so well together. This game was the best chemistry game ever. I couldn’t ask for a better senior day.”

In a sense, it is amazing that Marquez had a Senior Day in hockey, considering her late start in the game.

“I did ballet, I did figure skating, I did choir and piano so I was the ultimate sissy girl,” said Marquez, who is headed to Cornell.

“I was a field hockey goalie for my first year here and as a sophomore, Harry comes up to me one day and goes ‘so how do you feel about doing ice hockey. I said ‘alright, throw me in.’ It was amazing, it was one of the best experiences I had through high school.”

Coach Cook, for her part, credited the trio of seniors with enhancing her experience as she took the role of interim head coach this winter with Kat Smithson recovering from a concussion.

“It was hardest on them not having Kat on the bench,” said Cook. “They have played for her the longest. At the same time, I am asking them to step and be leaders and be my go-to people just to know what is going on with the team. They really did a great job of helping Alannah [assistant coach Alannah McCready] and I get comfortable and for the team to be comfortable with us. It was group of three leading us all season long.”

For Egner, developing a comfort level with the game and teammates has made her PDS hockey career unforgettable.

“Hockey is my favorite season; I look forward to it every year,” said Egner.

“Freshman year was the first season that I started; I had never played before. Just the whole thing means so much to me, Megan and me have been best friends since freshman year. Lucy and I have gotten so much closer this year. It has been great becoming friends with everyone on the team; it is such a diverse group of girls.”