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01/17/2018 11:00 PMWhen the Guilford girls’ ice hockey squad was looking for a backup goalie last fall, Brielle Kendrioski volunteered to step up and fulfill her team’s need. Brielle has since carved out her niche at the position and is now the starting goalie for the Indians in her junior season.
Brielle grew up playing soccer and is a member of the girls’ program at Guilford High School. As a freshman, she joined the girls’ ice hockey team and was a forward. Brielle figured that she’d remain in that role, but when the Indians needed an understudy at goalie last winter, she offered to step into the net.
Now a junior, Brielle has taken a liking to the starting spotlight and helped Guilford post three victories after winning one game last year. Brielle has made 201 saves in 332 minutes played in the Indians’ 10 games this season.
“I knew they needed a backup last year, so I volunteered, because I was about benefiting the team,” Brielle says. “My coaches have always supported me. My defense is so strong. I don’t face as many shots because of them. The parents of other players have my support, too.”
Brielle takes a proactive approach when it comes to keeping the puck in front of her. She’s all about defending her turf and preventing Guilford’s opponents from getting any second-chance shots.
“In a one-on-one situation, I like to come out and try to make the save. I like to get on their stick before they can make the shot,” says Brielle. “ I also don’t let teams get a chance at rebound shots.”
A member of the junior class, Brielle knows that her upperclass status comes with an additional layer of responsibility. Brielle looks to be a leader for the Indians by working on her game, while providing a wave of emotional support for her teammates.
“For me, it’s about loving every moment and always trying to improve myself, along with being a leader and helping my teammates,” says Brielle. “I love this team so much. I feel more respect from my coaches with them listening to and respecting my opinion. I feel like I’m contributing more. I also love being a cheerleader for the other girls.”
Head Coach Gil Schaper appreciates how Brielle was willing to take on goalie’s job, and he says her demeanor makes her a perfect fit for that position.
“Brielle played a little goalie last year. She prefers to skate out as a forward, but knew she could help the team out the most by playing in goal,” says Schaper. “She has a great personality and willingness to be coached. She is a mentally tough and competitive athlete and a great teammate.”
In terms of this year’s team, Brielle feels that Guilford features a nice blend of veterans and newcomers on the roster, along with a hefty helping of unity among its athletes.
“We lost only two players from last year, so we’ve all been playing together for a while, and we have great team chemistry,” Brielle says. “We’re all there for each other, which is a big help. The new players have really stepped up and been phenomenal, and the returning players have shown great improvement.”
There’s still a ways to go for Brielle and the Indians this winter. For the rest of the season, Brielle wants to put some zeros on the scoreboard and more wins in the books, while keeping her poise at a peak level.
“For myself, it’s my goal to have a shutout, either for a whole game or just a period. I also want to not get frustrated on the ice, while communicating with my teammates and supporting them,” says Brielle, who thanks her sister Krista and grandma Babci. “As a team, we want to make it to states this year.”