WRIGHT AT HOME: Princeton High girls’ hockey player Elizabeth Wright, right, helps goalie Callie Urisko guard the crease in a game this winter. Senior defenseman Wright and classmate Urisko were stalwarts for PHS as it posted a 2-9 mark this season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

On paper, it may appear that the Princeton High girls’ hockey team ended the season on a down note as it fell 4-0 to Holton Arms (Md.) in its finale.

But for PHS head coach Christian Herzog, the loss in the ‘B’ bracket of the WIHLMA (Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic) tournament last month spoke volumes about his squad’s character.

“I thought they gave a valiant effort, considering, I had eight skaters and nine players including the goalie,” said Herzog.

“So if you factor that in, I thought it was an amazing game. Callie (Urisko) was a standout in goal with 43 saves.”

Herzog saw some valiant play throughout the winter. “I enjoyed having the season with the girls,” said Herzog, whose team went 2-9 this season.

“When I talked about our record at the banquet, they were all clapping and hooting and hollering like we won the Stanley Cup. It wasn’t our most productive season in the win category but it wasn’t our worst.”

The Little Tigers enjoyed one of their more productive games when they  topped Pingry 6-4 on Senior Night with senior star Isabelle Sohn exploding for three goals and an assist.

“Isabelle had a standout game, they were talking in the locker room about getting another win and not taking them for granted and somebody else had said it is senior night, I want to have a really good game; I would love to score a hat trick,” recalled Herzog.

“I said if you score a hat trick, your dad better throw the hat on the ice and Isabelle’s dad did throw the hat on the ice. Callie played really well in goal as well.”

Urisko’s improvement and her perseverance as PHS’s only goalie resulted in her getting named as the team’s MVP for the season.

“Callie knows that she was the only show in town, she would show up when she was sick; she would play her best, no matter what,” said Herzog of Urisko, who posted an .866 save percentage this season.

“I think she has come a long way, starting with zero goaltending and hockey experience to playing pretty well. There definitely were shots that she was saving at the end of the season that in the beginning I would have thought were going in.”

The team’s sportsmanship award went to senior star Sohn. “Isabelle was the head captain, showing leadership and sportsmanship,” said Herzog.

“She is the reason why I enjoy coaching this team. It is players like that with a willingness to work hard and never having excuses.”

Senior Sophie Corrodi was the choice for the teams head, heart, hustle, and honor.

“Sophie was more of a forward but she agreed for the betterment of the team that she would play defense because we only had three defensemen,” said Herzog. “She always works hard, she is her own toughest critic.”

The coach’s award went to stalwart senior defenseman Liz Wright. “Liz is an individual who is happy-go-lucky,” added Herzog. “But she became more and more aggressive as the year went on; she always had Callie’s back.”

Making her hockey debut this winter, senior forward Lauren McNulty fit right in with the Little Tigers.

“She only came out as a senior and had no hockey experience,” said Herzog.

“Sometimes that turns out to be the player who is complaining about playing time but she was the complete opposite. It was a team thing for her with the bonding, there were no headaches there. She was a great kid. I called her my good luck charm, you would put her there on the ice and you would get a power play.”

In Herzog’s view, the team formed some deep bonds, helping it this winter and hopefully beyond.

“I can tell you this, as far as camaraderie of a team, I haven’t had a closer knit team than this year,” said Herzog, who will be looking to junior Maggie Herring, the team’s top scorer this winter with nine goals, and sophomore Alexa Zammit, the recipient of the captain’s award, to lead the team next winter.

“This year’s team, they were like super buddies, going to movies together, hanging out in school. It was good team camaraderie. I am hoping some of that is going to help some more join. I am looking for them to lean on the friendship angle and bring in girls that way.”