Operating under the LA Lions umbrella, the program’s women’s team celebrated the Women’s C division title at this year’s USA Hockey National Championships, which were showcased from April 5-8 in Marlborough, Mass.

The Lions blanked the MN Blue J Bandits 2-0 in Sunday’s championship game victory.

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Forwards Liz Brenman-Reed (game-winner) and Talia Faubert scored the Lions’ goals – both in the second period – and goaltender Pepper Kemtes turned aside all 25 shots she faced.

“The most impressive thing about this group was its ability to come together as a team,” said Lions head coach Dimitri Voulelikas. “Over the course of the weekend, their confidence in both themselves and their teammates grew exponentially. I’m very happy for them.”

The Lions opened the tournament on Thursday with a 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Flames, followed by a 5-2 triumph over the Cougars. LA wrapped up pool play on Friday with a 1-0 loss to the Blue J Bandits.

As the No. 8 seed heading into Saturday’s quarterfinals, the Lions doubled-up the Gulf Coast Sea Gals, 6-3, before dropping the Saratoga Storm, 5-2, in the semifinals to set up Sunday’s winner-take-all finale.

Other members of the team include: forwards Marisa Blanco, Brita Loeb, Jen Matichuk, Elissa Mondragon, Jenny Park, Tori Pizzuto, Gloria Wong-Padoongpatt and Candice Zee; defensemen M.C. Finney, Kali Hengsteler, Courtney King, Steph Brenman-Reed and Sondra Marchand-Tanaka; and goaltender Jess Green.

“This is an exciting accomplishment not only for the Lions program, but girls and women’s hockey across Southern California,” Voulelikas added. “There’s so much to look forward to as it relates to development and exposure, and a victory like this only helps the cause.”

Click here for more information on the Women’s Senior C USA Hockey National Championships

— Brian McDonough

(April 10, 2018)