Coyotes win second straight state championship

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, March 16, 2006

The Niagara County Coyotes 19-U Tier-2 Girls Hockey team won its second straight New York State Tier-2 Tournament with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Camillus Cougars on March 12 at Clinton Arena.

Rachelle Rechin scored the championship-winning goal with 2:21 left in the first overtime on a pass from Julie Cahill.

Holly Faber gave the Coyotes a 1-0 lead at 10:44 of the first period on an assist from Rechin. After Camillus tied the scored late in the second period, the teams skated through a scoreless third period to set up the stage for overtime. The Coyotes outshot the Cougars 33-18 in regulation and 11-2 in overtime.

The Coyotes began the tournament with a 3-3 tie in their first round-robin game on March 10 against the Mohawk Valley Hurricanes. Roseanne Kirbis, Jillian Harvey and Faber scored the goals for the Coyotes. Erika Edwards, Dawn Bernas, Stacy Toth and Cahill each picked up one assist.

Later that day, the Coyotes skated to a 1-1 tie against the Camillus Cougars. Cahill scored the lone goal for the Coyotes. Faber assisted on Cahill’s tally.

The Coyotes then beat the Ithaca Stars 7-1 in their third round-robin game on March 11. Bernas led the team with three goals and two assists. Kirbis recorded five assists, while Tamara Stewart, Faber and Rechin each had one goal and one assist. Harvey chipped one goal and Stefani Krysztofowicz added one assist in the victory.

The Coyotes advanced to the championship game with a 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Regals. Christina Kolev led the team with two goals. Kirbis and Harvey tallied the other two goals. Faber and Stewart each had two assists, while Michelle Maroney, Katie Fish and Cahill each picked up one assist.

Coyotes goaltender Ashley Schneegold recorded the shutout in the Buffalo game. She played in all five tournament games, recording 89 saves while giving up only six goals.