10U's Show Off Their Skills

Team Illinois 10U team completed the 2004 - 2005 season opening round of NIHL with a 4-3-1 record against the boys. This year our defense is comprised of: Natalie Smith, Jillian Kostek, Emma Turbyville, Kelly Micholson, and Kelly Murray. Our offense consists of Katy Ratty, Ellen O'Malley, Eileen Harris, Cheyenne Tuttle, Kylie Gazzolo, Allie Granato & Kami Weiner. In net, we have Alanna Serviss, Katie Fitzgerald and Alexis Carrizales. 

The girls finished the opening round of NIHL on a 2 game winning streak. The goals this year have been coming from team leader Kelly Micholson. Jillian Kostick, Katie Ratty, Emma Turbyville and Kylie Gazzolo have started to light the lamp as well. 

Perhaps their most complete game was played on Saturday, October 16, 2004, when Team Illinois 10U defeated the Glenview Stars 2 to 1 with their best performance of the season. Kelly Micholson put the team ahead about half way through the first period. Ellen O'Malley tapped home a rebound in the second period to put TI up 2 to 0. Katie Fitzgerald performed stellar in net yielding her first goal of the season after 3 games, in the third period, breaking her shutout streak of over 160 minutes. On Sunday, October 17, 2004, TI beat the Blues 2 to 1 behind the goaltending of Allana Serviss. 

Team Illinois 10U begins the regular NIHL season on November 6 & 7 with home games against the Blues and Joliet. On November 12, 13, and 14, the girls will be traveling to Menomonie WI to participate in their first tournament of they year. The girls will have a chance to bond more as a team, although team managers, Chris Micholson and Mary Fitzgerald, say that has already happened based on the chatter in the locker run. Now we must turn it into game focus. We are very optimistic and working hard to extend our winning streak into the tournament in Wisconsin. 

Coach Granato continues to challenge the team during practices changing up the drills on a daily basis. Each drill continues to build the foundation for the team and the hard work is starting to produce great results. The team is practicing breakout plays on the offensive and defensive side of the ice. The girls are becoming more familiar with the passing plays needed to get the puck up the ice quicker and into the zone. 

Keep it up girls and good luck in November.