The Varsity Girls’ Ice Hockey team ended their impressive 2023-24 season on a high note. On Sunday, February 25, 2024, they defeated Rice Memorial High School 5-2 to become the 2024 Hill Girls’ Ice Hockey Invitational Tournament Champions. This is the first time since 2020 the home team has won the Tournament.

During the last weekend in February, Hill welcomed five schools to campus including Fort Erie International Academy from Ontario, Canada; Portledge School from Locust Valley, N.Y.; Rice Memorial High School from South Burlington, Vt.; Rome Grizzlies from Rome, N.Y.; and Steel City Selects from Pittsburgh, Pa. for three action-packed days of hockey.

Competition began on Friday, February 23, within the walls of the Edward Tuck Hall Arena and Thomas Eccleston, Jr. Rink. Hill’s first game was against Steel City Selects, resulting in a 3-1 win. The following day brought a full slate of games as each team had two contests that would determine who advanced to the championship.

Hill faced off against Rome Grizzlies to start the day on Saturday, February 24, and came away with a thrilling 6-1 victory. After the brackets were set for the evening, Hill and Rome found themselves together on the ice once again. Hill continued their dominance with a 6-2 win that advanced the team to the championship round against Rice Memorial.

The championship game took place on Sunday, February 25. Hill remained in control throughout as Sarah Anthony '24 scored the first goal late in the first period after a beautiful pass from Ashley O’Hara '24 on a powerplay. Rice answered back soon into the second period, tying the game at 1-1. After that, Hill slapped four goals into Rice’s net in a matter of five minutes. Caoilin Thomason '25 began the goal rush marking the second Hill goal followed by an incredible slapshot from Maddie Smith '24. Charlie Rauch '24 wasn’t too far behind as she skillfully tallied Hill’s fourth goal. Julia Slaney '25 sealed the fifth goal guaranteeing Hill the win.

As the game dwindled down to the last second, the Hill bench cleared, and teammates poured over the boards to celebrate on the ice together. Sticks, helmets, and gloves scattered the ice as the team cheered and hugged each other.

Wilbur C. Riley Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities P'22 '23 '25 announced the All-Tournament roster that included Anthony, Slaney, and Smith while Rauch was awarded the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Friends, family, and The Hill Community gathered around the glass as the trophy presentation began to watch captains Nina Mckenna '24, Anthony, Rauch, and Brooke Heck '24 hoist the cup surrounded by their teammates.

The team finishes their stellar 21-8-1 season under the direction of Head Coach Ari Baum, Associate Head Coach Laura McConney, and Assistant Coaches Meghan Toomey and Sam Walther, as the 2023 Dexter Southfield Tournament Champions and the 2024 Hill Girls’ Ice Hockey Invitational Tournament Champions.