Frozen In Time: Notre Dame HS girls' co-op ice hockey season a slap shot of historic thrills
- Rick Menning
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
By Rick Menning
(Editor's Note: To return to my alma mater -- where I studied in those classrooms and sang a solo as a senior in front of a packed audience in that gymnasium -- and spend a recent morning reporting on this historic team is a thrill of a lifetime.)
WEST HAVEN, CT -- Coming into this inaugural season of girls' ice hockey at Notre Dame High School, the first order of business was to find a team on which seven members of the historic Class of 2029 could begin making memories.
With the vast majority of squads throughout Connecticut comprised of two or more schools joining forces in a co-op format, the search began to find the right situation for the Green Knights' blade brigade.
Athletic Director Jason Shea was able to achieve that match-up as the Trumbull-St. Joseph skaters -- along with girls from Shepaug Valley and Emmett O'Brien -- welcomed the Notre Dame seven into the fold for 2025-26 play in the FCIAC (Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference).
Rather than simply settle for a positive season filled with newfound camaraderie and a learning curve leading to future success, the newly enhanced co-op warriors embarked on a mission to excel in season one of the expanded club.
Mission accomplished with an exclamation point!
"Our goal coming into the season was to compete for a spot in the state playoffs," said Kyle Knopp, who along with Paula Dady, Shannon Curren and Coach Cate formed the instructional staff behind the bench. "With our co-op unable to compete in a conference playoff, we stressed the importance of getting our team into a position to make states, and we (accomplished that by) finishing in the top-half of the rankings."
Then something extraordinary happened in that state tournament.
Putting forth a 100-percent effort in front of a capacity crowd in Shelton, the Notre Dame girls took the ice for game one with their co-op teammates and achieved a dramatic 1-0 overtime win over Masuk.
Those same Masuk skaters had just two days earlier been crowned the SCC (Southern Connecticut Conference) champions by defeating the Blades (Amity, Cheshire and North Haven high schools) at Bennett Rink in West Haven.
Plenty of positives to cherish
Notre Dame sophomore Emma Brockett was thrilled with her team's all-around performance throughout the regular season and the state playoffs.
"To make it as far as we did -- and especially how well we played against Masuk -- was such a joy and so exciting," said Emma, a Northford resident whose tenacious play on the wing was an important factor for her co-op team from the first puck drop to the final buzzer.
The transfer from North Branford High School had a breakout season and emerged as the scoring leader with 16 of the team's 55 regular-season goals. She was the only member of the team to have 10 or more tallies. Brockett also provided six assists to top the points ledger with 22.
"We battled hard (in the loss to) New Canaan after that really emotional game against Masuk...We did so many good things on the ice," Emma continued. "The Masuk win is a great memory to carry into next season."
With Masuk just two days removed from its' SCC title, the Trumbull-St. Joseph-Notre Dame co-op could easily have settled on just being competitive in the state playoffs.
But as the marathon opening state game approached its third hour still at 0-0, the mindset went full throttle toward coming away with a stunning victory. That perseverance achieved an historic result as Shepaug Valley's Sydney Goethner knocked home a rebound with traffic near the crease.
And while the season ended three days later with a hard-fought 3-1 setback to New Canaan, the grit and tenacity continued to the final buzzer.
Freshman Michaela Madonick -- whose ability to take charge through all zones but especially in the defensive end was one of many keys to her team's success -- noted that the state playoff positives were the result of building a winning culture throughout the regular season.
Solid work ethic reaps rewards
"As a team, we worked so hard at each practice and in games to have the chance to compete in states for the first time," said Michaela, who previously attended St. Rita School in Hamden. "Not only did we do that, but we also exceeded our own expectations and pushed ourselves for more."
Madonick, who resides in Woodbridge, became one of the co-op squad's staunchest blueliners, shutting down opponents' top scorers and opening up offensive opportunities for her defense partner, Trumbull junior Ellie Simon.
Madonick (4 assists) and Simon (5 goals, 11 assists) combined for 20 points.
"Being (among) the first (girls) to take part in making Notre Dame history has been an influential and impactful experience," Michaela said. "It leaves me with a sense of pride knowing that our effort to start something like this will pave the way for other girls for years to come."
While Knopp was happy with all the girls' efforts throughout the campaign, he was especially thrilled over the Notre Dame girls' heart and determination to continue the tradition of excellence at The School On The Hill.
"(All of the coaches) are extremely proud of this group for coming together the way they have...Especially in the month leading up to states, every game felt like a must-win game. For these girls to not only make the state playoffs, but also reach the second round was amazing," Knopp said.
Amazing, indeed, considering the need to quickly build a chemistry while as a unit also learning all the Xs and Os of systems, lines and strategies among the players from the various schools comprising this expanded FCIAC contingent.
For Gabby Grasso, a graduate of Amity Middle School, the season in general was one she would have cherished regardless of the state playoff outcome. But to put away her skates with a sensational team effort against Masuk and a gritty contest against New Canaan was icing on the cake.
"I'm really proud of the team as a whole," said Gabby, who lives in Orange. "It's a very big deal for us with the combined schools. Being a part of something new, what we did was really memorable. We were close as teammates and played together as a team, and I think it's just really special that we got to the second round (at states)."
Team spirit, support runs deep
Although she could not participate in the state tournament due to an injury, freshman Kourtney Generous nevertheless was a huge cheerleader for her team's performance in the state play. During the regular season, the Stratford hometowner had a goal and two assists for the squad.
"I got so emotional because I could see how hard the girls were playing (at states)," said Kourtney, who moved on to Notre Dame after completing her studies at Wooster Middle School. "My favorite memory this season was getting into my first game and scoring a goal on my second shift. Everybody was so happy for me and it really made me feel at home on this team. It's a really good group of girls."
What made that memory even more special was that Generous was also sidelined with a broken collar bone at the beginning of the season, but overcame that setback to sparkle on the ice.
Trumbull was returning only two seniors, five juniors and one sophomore from the previous season so the expectations were that the Notre Dame athletes would compete for playing time right away.
The future indeed looks bright as those returning to the FCIAC ice for the 2026-27 season not only bring experience but also a knowledge of how to battle through close encounters.
Never-say-die attitude prevails
"Almost every one of our games this season went into the second intermission either tied or one team had a 1-goal lead," Knopp said. "That would not have been possible without buy-in from every girl in that locker room to push each other to get better in practice. Whether the players, and especially the underclassmen, saw regular shifts or not, they came ready to work and challenge their teammates to improve."
Notre Dame freshman Chelsea Ryan, another Amity Middle School graduate and a resident of Bethany, also tallied her first goal and assist as a high-school skater.
Waiting in the wings to take over between the posts for 2024-25 All-State selectee and Trumbull senior goaltender Lucy Kimberly next season are Notre Dame's Lorelei Schunmann and Ari Bartolomei, both of whom Knopp says bring a great work ethic and supportive competition to the locker room.
As an assistant coach with the Trumbull-St. Joseph team last season, Knopp saw that same determination to succeed but the state playoffs proved elusive.
"We ended up on the outside looking in, but this year with the injection of our Notre Dame girls we not only pushed through but also won our first-ever state game," he said. "The ND girls brought energy, excitement and experience to our team that helped us rise to the next level."
New challenges, goals in 2026-27
Emma Brockett said the mindset of all the returning players on this co-op squad next season is to raise the bar higher.
"I hope next year we can make an even farther run at states," Emma said. "The goal is to strive for something even bigger. We worked so hard from the first practice this season, and knowing what it takes will make us even more determined next season."
Michaela Madonick shared Brockett's sentiments.
"We played this season with aggression and drive, taking away as many of our opponents' opportunities as we could," Michaela said. "I walked out of the locker room (that last game) feeling proud of the way all of us played as a team (all season)."
Notre Dame Girls' History-Making Roster on FCIAC
Co-op Team with Trumbull-St. Joseph and others!
2025-26 ND Green Knights (in alphabetical order): Arianna Bartolomei, Emma Brockett, Kourtney Generous, Gabby Grasso, Michaela Madonick, Chelsea Ryan, Lorelei Schunmann.
2025-26 Trumbull Eagles (in alphabetical order): Alessia Cardozo, Daneane Carreras, Lucy Kimberly, Annie King, Callie Langlais, Juliet Mainiero, Sara Melton, Sydney Micalizzi, Ava Narciso, Lilly Pearlman, Brooke Plain, Ellie Simon, Quinn Sokolowski, Emma Weiss, Elizabeth Wendt.
2025-26 St. Joseph Cadets: Haley Pawelczyk.
2025-26 Shepaug Valley Spartans: Sydney Goethner.
2025-26 Emmett O'Brien Condors: Allie Terranova.
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