On Memorial Day the YMSSA girls hockey league held just their second All-Star game since the league was formed. Yeshivat Noam hosted the event in Paramus. Each team was able to nominate up to five girls to participate. The league divided up into two squads of four teams each: the Atlantics, composed of Noam, WDS, Ramaz, and Moriah and the Metropolitans, composed of Kushner, Yavneh, SAR and RPRY. Each girl proudly wore her school’s uniform to the game.

As the two top teams during the regular season, the Atlantics were coached by Noam coach Leora Sulimanoff and the Metropolitans were coached by Kushner coach Alex Fuchs. Fuchs noted, “It was a great opportunity for girls of competing teams to push aside their rivalries for a moment and join forces to celebrate their mutual love of hockey.” SAR’s coach Amanda Samet reiterated the sentiment adding, “It was very special to see all the schools come together. Every player has really worked so hard this season!”

RPRY coach Michael Zemble coordinated the game and the team selections. He said, “After two seasons disrupted by COVID-19, I really wanted to give the girls this extra opportunity to play. While all the girls are driven to win, this game provided a forum for them to demonstrate their skills and sportsmanship.” Zemble stepped in to referee the game along with WDS coach Ari Loren.

Yavneh’s coach Aliza Hiller also reflected on the sport’s dormancy over the course of the pandemic. She noted, “As someone who is extremely passionate about hockey, especially the development of girls hockey, it was amazing to see these all-stars play together. They represented both their schools and girls hockey so well! If this is what girls hockey looks like after two years off, I can’t wait to see where we go from here!”

In this field of highly competitive athletes, one standout was Noam’s Gaby Hoffer who scored four goals and merited game MVP honors. Sulimanoff stated, “Gaby’s demonstration of extraordinary skills and distinguished midot throughout the game made her the perfect choice for MVP. She’s shown great leadership and team spirit the whole season.”

As experienced and talented as the girls were, the game still provided an opportunity to learn new things. RPRY’s Ilana Zemble said, “It was a lot of fun to work with girls with different playing styles. Seeing new techniques will help me hone my own skills.”

Although the final score was 6-3 in favor of the Atlantics, all the girls were winners.

By Michael Zemble