When the puck dropped on December 13, 2023, history was made when the first-ever Section V girls varsity hockey team, the Webster Lakers, played their first game! A team roster of 22 student athletes in grades 7-12 representing Webster Schroeder High School, Webster Thomas High School, Spry Middle School, and Willink Middle School are currently the only Section V girls varsity hockey team.
The Webster Lakers began its inaugural season On December 13, 2023. as the only Section V girls varsity hockey team!
Formation of the team came about following a year-long grassroots effort of parents, along with support from Webster CSD administrators and New York State Section V hockey program representatives. Former Nazareth University hockey player and current Webster Schroeder High School teacher Ally Watrous was hired as the Lakers’ first coach in fall 2023 and the girls began their historic inaugural season.
“We keep talking about the reputation that we need to build; that we’re the first and that comes with this extra load to it,” said Watrous. “They’re learning a lot and it’s great to see the growth in them.”
“I’m hoping it will help kickstart the program a little bit more and bring in more girls and see more ponytails sticking out of the helmets; it’s really cool,” reflected Webster Laker Lucy S.
Webster CSD Directors of Physical Education, Athletics & Health Steve LaMonica (for the Titans) and Shawn Strege (for the Warriors) both agree that it is a unique opportunity to play a sport for your school and are grateful this opportunity is now a reality for their One Webster girls hockey team.
The One Webster student section celebrates the first-ever Webster Lakers hockey game on December 13, 2023!
Though the first game, against the Ithaca Little Red of Section IV, didn’t end in a win for the Lakers, it was highlighted by the first goal in Lakers’ program history by Jessica N.! Congratulations to the team on their efforts that will hopefully bring even more Section V girls hockey players to the ice in the future.
For more reflections on the Webster Lakers inaugural season, please watch the district’s video series, One Webster Minute, that recently featured the girls varsity hockey team.