Printer Friendly Version - Hand Boys’ Hockey Loses in Division III Semis; Fencing Teams Compete at State Championships

Michael McKeon and the Hand boys’ ice hockey squad took an 8-2 loss against Sheehan in the Division III State Tournament semifinals last week. The Tigers went 18-5-1 on the campaign. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Source

The Hand boys’ ice hockey team saw its incredible, record-setting season come to an end in semifinals of the Division III State Tournament last week.

Top-seeded Hand battled No. 4 seed Sheehan in the state semifinals at Ingalls Rink on March 11. The Titans emerged with an 8-2 victory to advance to the championship game. Michael McKeon and Brett Leckey scored the goals for Hand in the defeat.

The Tigers finished their campaign with an overall record of 18-5-1, setting the program record for wins in a season. Hand achieved that feat during a regular season that saw the squad notch a mark of 16-3-1.

Hand competed at the Team State Championships that took place at Fitch High School on March 16.

The Hand girls’ team saw its sabre squad earn a third-place finish at states. As the No. 3 seed, the Tigers defeated No. 6 seed Greenwich by a 5-2 score in the quarterfinals and then lost a 5-0 contest against No. 2 Morgan in the semis. Hand posted a win over No. 4 seed North Haven to take third place.

The girls’ foil team finished in fourth place. The 5th-seeded Tigers earned a 5-4 win versus No. 4 Fairfield in the quarters, before taking a 5-1 loss against top-seeded Guilford in the semifinals. Hand then lost to No. 7 seed Fitch to finish in fourth.

Hand finished sixth in épée. The Tigers were the No. 7 seed and dropped a 5-2 decision to No. 2 Fitch in their first match. Hand defeated No. 6 Greenwich by a 5-4 final in its next contest. After that, the Tigers took a 5-3 loss to No. 5 seed Waterford to finish in sixth place.

Previously, on March 9, Hand took part in the Individual State Championships. Natalie McCarthy placed fifth in girls’ sabre, earning All-State Second Team honors for the Tigers. Grace McFadden finished ninth in foil, while Cameron Brown finished 20th. Grace Blundon placed 12th in girls’ sabre, and Sophie Glassman finished 20th for girls’ épée.

The Tigers traveled to Groton to compete in the Team State Championships at Fitch High School last weekend.

The Hand boys’ team was led by a fifth-place performance in foil at the state meet. No. 2 seed Hand lost a 5-2 contest versus No. 7 Guilford in its first match. The Tigers blanked No. 6 seed Bacon Academy (5-0) and defeated No. 8 North Haven (5-2) to claim fifth place.

In sabre, the Tigers came in seventh place. No. 6 seed Hand took a 5-0 loss against No. 3 North Haven in its opening match and then lost a 5-4 decision to No. 7 Fairfield. Hand came back to get a 5-2 win against No. 8 Greenwich to finish in seventh.

Hand had previously competed at the Individual State Championships on March 9. Michael Hilmer finished sixth in boys’ foil, earning All-State Second Team recognition. Max Wu placed 18th and Daniel Ginsburg finished 22nd in boys’ sabre for Hand.