Defending champion Clinton girls hockey seeing progress with mix of young, older players

The Clinton girls hockey team again is making a case as a top squad.

The defending state champion Warriors – which had a 5-0 mark during a shortened 2021 season – have experienced much change as they navigate this new season and continue to build to more success.

The Warriors have six returners on a roster that includes 11 freshmen and three eighth-graders this season. The team, one of four girls teams in Section III, is a combined program that features players mainly from Clinton, New Hartford, Whitesboro and Rome as well as a few other school districts in the Mohawk Valley.

Rob Kopek, who was an assistant for Clinton in the previous four seasons, moved into the head coaching role. Morrisville State women’s coach Melissa Lomanto led the team last year.

“Everyone has been working really hard, and we’ve all come together to improve every time we’re out there,” said freshman goaltender Casey Clausen, who has been one of the team’s standout players. “We’ve seen a lot of success. You can see how much we’ve grown throughout the season and the improvement in everyone.”

This week the team earned a come-from-behind victory at rival Skaneateles as well as a win over Ithaca on Wednesday. Entering Saturday's scheduled game, Clinton has won six consecutive contests and is atop the Section III standings at 6-1 overall.

“I think we’ve jelled very well,” said captain Mia Eisenhut, who is one of five seniors for the Warriors. “They have that young energy, and they’re very excited. I’m just happy to see where they go.”

Junior forward Drew Kopek said building relationships among players has been important.

“All of our motivation comes from the whole team’s chemistry,” said Kopek, who is one two players to reach 50 career points with Clinton along with graduated standout and Quinnipiac University member Mia Lopata. “If most of your team isn’t confident and the chemistry isn’t there, it is not going to be a good season. But, it is not just our upperclassmen, it is everyone contributing.”

The win over Skaneateles helped give Clinton some added confidence as the Warriors hit a key stretch in the season. The team, which has been without a few key players due to injuries and illness recently, has another meeting Monday against visiting Skaneateles.

“We know getting to the final four again (in postseason) runs through Skaneateles,” said Rob Kopek, who acknowledged he told the team it has been good to see the team’s progress since the start of the season. “Winning in (Skaneateles’) building was just a huge boost of confidence.”

He thinks another appearance in the state final four is possible for the Warriors whether that happens this season or next.

He noted that some of the freshmen players have stepped into top-6 forward and top-4 defense roles. Kopek pointed out that the game-tying goal against Skaneateles was scored by freshmen Lauren Rey and assisted by classmates Katherine Elbrecht and Mackinley Ronan.

Clausen has been a key part of the team’s success, including making 41 saves against Skaneateles. She is “very rarely rattled” and the sky is the limit for her with three more varsity remaining, Kopek said.

“There’s just a calmness about her and that is just a huge asset for her,” he said. “She’s always up for the challenge. Every team is the same to her through her eyes.”

Clausen is in her second season on the varsity team. She was the lone goalie on the team last season when she won all five starts.

"I think I've become more confident in my abilities and my team in front me," Clausen said.

The older players have helped make the younger ones feel more comfortable this season, the team says.

“It is very surprising that we kind of came together so fast. We just clicked. And we do so well in executing,” junior defender Alyssa Nardslico said. “I feel like (players bonding) is expected. But, I feel like it happened on its own. I feel like that’s special in a way because it doesn’t happen like that with a lot of teams.”

Ben Birnell is a sports reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Ben Birnell at bbirnell@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Clinton girls hockey team making progress, aim to build on success