Jr. Gulls girls teams finish strong, continue to help grow game in San Diego
The 2018-19 season was a record-breaking campaign in many ways for the San Diego Jr. Gulls girls teams.
With four teams playing this year, 11 medals were won at girls tournaments, and seven championship banners were raised.
“The incredible growth and success of our girls hockey program is a direct result of all the hard work and dedication of our players, coaches and families,” said Jr. Gulls president Geoff Leibl. “We look forward to creating even more opportunities for girls to play hockey in San Diego next season and beyond.”
Each team had special moments over the course of the year. The 19U team won banners at both the Lady Ducks tournament in November, as well as at the Jr. Sharks MLK tournament. They also saw their first player leave for college as Hope Stengler transferred to Liberty University and joined the women’s hockey team.
Perhaps the most demanding schedule came with the 14u team as these girls traveled to Michigan and Pennsylvania and last month, to Alaska for the Pacific District Championships. They won banners at both the Pittsburgh tournament, as well as at the San Diego Girls Christmas Invitational, as Brogan Gallavan (pictured at top) collected the cup for winning that event.
In Anchorage, they were the only team from outside Alaska to make the playoffs, ending their season as the top ranked girls’ team on the West Coast.
The 12U and 10U teams also had their share of success. Both medaled at tournaments, with the 10U girls picking up two championship banners along the way.
Next season, the club is looking to field five girls teams. Tryouts and placements are scheduled June 6-8 at Escondido IcePlex.
— Matt Mackinder
(May 8, 2019)
