Their Words Their Team

Their

Their

of

West Chester East High School Ice Hockey Club

THE GIRLS VARISTY TEAM

WORDSTEAMWORDSTEAMby Paul C. Imburgia

Their

Their

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Copyright 2012

Paul C. ImburgiaPhotojournalist, Temple University

School of Communications and TheaterTemple University, Philadelphia, PA.

This book is dedicated to the Girls Varsity Team of the West Chester East High School

Ice Hockey Club:

The fans, the coaches, the staff and especially the players.

Their

TheirWORDSTEAMWORDSTEAM

The Girls of East High School’s Girls Varsity Team Reflect on their 2011-2012 Season

Photography and Production by Paul C. Imburgia

Copy Editing by Regina M. DePaul

Table ContentsTable of ContentsFORWARD - by head coach larry rufo 08

CHARLOTTE DUFOE 18

IRENE ANDERSON 22

SOPHIE PAOLIZZI 26

LISA IMBURGIA 30

GABRIELLE ESHLEMAN 34

HAYLEY ESHLEMAN 38

JENNIE HIRO 42

MEREDITH PINHEIRO 46

JADA McBRIDE 52

KATIE MILLER 54

MARY SHUPARD 58

MEGAN IPRI 62

JORDYN CHOLISH 64

SHEA BRITTAIN 66

KARLEY SKULLY 68

KASEY SKULLY 70

MADISON LEWES 72

BETHANY DIEHL 74

AFTERWARD- by photojournalist paul c. imburgia 76

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Larry RufoForward by Head Coach Larry RufoT , his is a team that’s easy to like. Each and every athlete brings her unique individuality to the team and is

willing to share herself with her teammates. The bond among the members is real and meaningful to each of the players; that bond of caring for each other is the reason for the team’s success.

Every one of the players showed great courage throughout our season. Whether that meant ‘stepping up’ against a particularly tough opponent or challenging themselves to do something outside their comfort zone, every member of the team showed a willingness to test and push herself – put herself on the line for her teammates. The team is very ‘inclusive’ meaning that the players accept one another exactly as they are. Players new to the team or to the game itself are welcomed by the existing players, creating an atmosphere of belonging and a place for everyone who’s willing to commit to the team.

The girls love one another. They love the game of hockey. They love to compete and excel. They’re fun to be around and it’s an honor to be one of the coaches.

-Larry Rufo Head Coach West Chester East Ice Hockey Club

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“ Whether that meant ‘stepping up’ against a particularly tough opponent or challenging themselves to do something outside their comfort zone, every member of the team showed a willingness to test and push herself – put herself on the line for her teammates. ”

Larry Rufo

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Charlotte DufoeCharlotte Dufoe

Please summarize / comment on your personal experience playing ice hockey for WCEIHC Girls Varsity this year. What were your biggest accomplishments? What were your biggest

defeats?

Accomplishments - Holding Unionville scoreless until the third period, getting to the second round of the playoffs by defeating Lansdale Catholic in overtime and recording four shutouts this year.

Defeats – Getting beat by Lansdale Catholic in the first round of the Flyers Cup.

What do you think the Girls Varsity Team did best this season? What does the team need to work on?

The team got better playing together as a team as the season went on. We need to work on our offense.

What do you love about ice hockey? Why play ice hockey over any other sport?

I love skating and the team camaraderie. I play field hockey, lacrosse and ice hockey and love them all.

Do you play for other teams? Will you be playing ice hockey for East High School next season?

I do not play for any other hockey teams. I will be playing for East next year.

-Charlotte Dufoe

04Charlotte DufoeCharlotte Dufoe 4GOALIE10th grade

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Please summarize / comment on your personal experience playing ice hockey for WCEIHC Girls Varsity this year. What were your biggest accomplishments? What were your biggest defeats?

I loved playing for the school and with my friends. I always had a good time whether we won or lost. It was fun just being together. My best accomplishment was getting a hat trick last year. Our biggest defeat was our loss in overtime at the Championship game against Haverford.


We really got together as a team and looked out for each other. Need to work on positioning.


I love the excitement of being on the ice. Knowing the game and the friendships I’ve made. I play it over other sports because it’s something I’m good at.


No and no.

-Irene Anderson

04Irene AndersonIrene Anderson 5

FORWARD/DEFENSE12th grade C

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Sophie Paolizzi


This was my third season of WCE ice hockey. Having been on the team for several years, and seeing it shrink more and more as the sea-sons wore on, I was worried that the team may not exist my senior year. It was absolutely fantastic to play with so many new girls this year. Having so many new players brought a new life to the locker room. Every player on the team grew exponentially better this season. It was disappointing to not make it farther in the playoffs. But I think as a whole we accomplished many great things this season.


As a team, I think we really came together this season. With a lot of young, new faces this year, I believe this team will be very strong as our younger players develop. Going into next season we will have even more new members to integrate, but as we all learn to communi-cate and cooperate with one another, our team will be just as strong, if not stronger, than last seasons.


I love the challenge of ice hockey. After every season, I feel so accomplished with what I have improved on. Coming back the next year always presents new opportunities to improve and grow. It is also a very unique women’s sport. I am always amused by the expressions on people’s faces when I tell them I play ice hockey.


East is my only team. I will definitely be playing again this fall.

-Sophie Paolizzi

04Sophie Paolizzi 45

DEFENSE9th grade

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This past season was the best in the past 2 years. My biggest accomplishments this year would be scoring a lot more goals, and being more alert on the ice.


I think that this was our best season because after losing great players that carried our team, we had a recession in our skill level. This was the first season that we had a incline and got closer to wear we use to be. Our biggest flaw would have to be our anger issues.


I of course love the feeling of skating and shooting, but I especially love the atmosphere and pressure that is continuous. Its an adrenaline rush when you can score and come out with a win. Ice hockey is not the typical sport for girls, and even though it is considered a masculine sport, the thrill of a win is all the same.


Yes, West Chester East Field Hockey , YES

Would you like to add any additional comments?

I love my brother because he is mom’s favorite.-Lisa Imburgia

04Lisa ImburgiaLisa Imburgia 21

CENTER11th grade a

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It was fun. Playing hard, not scoring.


Teamwork, getting along.


Everything. It’s so me.


No, no.


Hi.

-Gabrielle Eshleman

04Gabrielle EshlemanGabrielle Eshleman 17FORWARD

12th grade

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My biggest accomplishment was being able to skate backwards and score. My biggest defeats were players getting by me on break aways.


I think we did a great job at doing our best to work with the new players and have fun! We need to work on shooting and positioning.


I love hockey for the fact that I love the feeling of “flying” down the ice and being a family and protect each other while enjoying a game we love. I do play other sports but hockey is one of my favorites because of the speed and competition.


No, I do not play for other teams and yes, I will be playing next year for East High School.

-Hayley Eshleman

04Hayley EshlemanHayley Eshleman 37

FORWARD9th grade

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This year was a big year for us. We had a lot of new players and it was good to see everyone grow together as a team, and more importantly a family. My biggest accomplishment was being voted alternate captain by my teammates. It meant a lot that they thought I was fit for the task. My biggest defeat was walking out of our last game due to an injury.


The best thing our team did this season was make it into Flyers Cup. This is the first year the girls team at East was eligible so it was a big deal to us. The team needs to work on passing. If we could connect our passes, we’d be unstoppable.


I love ice hockey because it’s so different from any other sport. No other sport gives you the feeling of flying across the ice.


No, I don’t play for other teams, although I wish I did. Yes, I will play for East next year.

-Jennie Hiro

04Jennie HiroJennie Hiro 8FORWARD

11th grade

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04Meredith PinheiroMeredith Pinheiro12FORWARD

9th grade


I had gained lots of confidence this year, which is making me a better player, I have also learned how to play smarter hockey. I am also now not afraid to block shots.


I believe that our team did great playing defensively and offensively. Our team knew where to be at all times. I believe for next season we should work on passing and playing more as a team rather than just individual players.


I love how hockey brings people together. My whole family plays hockey and my dad (my Quakers coach) had always said that, “Your team is like your family, your hockey family.” Having hockey in my life had taught me goals, such as becoming the best I can be so I can someday play for the U.S.A. at the Winter Olympics. I also chose to play hockey because it is in my blood; my dad did it, my uncle did it, my bother does it, so I wanted to be like my big brother and I asked my dad if I could do hockey too. I have a major desire to be better than my brother. I love playing with my sister; I enjoy seeing her grow as a player, but that makes me nervous because she is not allowed to be better than me :). I also play hockey because I love the game in general, it’s a really cool sport and it’s also very unique, there’s really no other sport like it.


I have played for the Quakers Club since third grade and I am now on the Quakers Tier 2 14U Team. I will be continuing to play for East next season.


I fall down a lot, hopefully next season I can work on my balance issue.-Meredith Pinheiro

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Team spirit, staying positive; puck control.


You’re not just standing there, you’re always moving; not a boring sport.


Quakers Ice Hockey, yes.

- Jada McBride

04Jada McBrideJada McBride 68

FORWARD9th grade

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Team spirit, staying positive; puck control.


You’re not just standing there, you’re always moving; not a boring sport.


Quakers Ice Hockey, yes.

- Jada McBride

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My biggest accomplishment was understanding the game. My biggest defeat was not being able to skate fast enough.


I think our defense was amazing when in our offensive zone but our team needs to work on getting the puck out of our defensive zone. Our goalie was scored on when we were tired.


I love ice hockey because the team is very close and also it’s a fast-paced game; it keeps your mind fast and on top of things.


I will be playing for East next season.

-Katie Miller

04Katie MillerKatie Miller 34

FORWARD9th grade

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My biggest accomplishment was my first goal. My biggest defeat was being unsure of myself.


I think we played best as a team. We need to work on getting rebounds.


I love the pace of the game. I chose ice hockey because I feel at home on ice.


Yes, I will be playing next year.

-Mary Shupard

04Mary ShupardMary Shupard 10

FORWARD9th grade

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04Megan IpriMegan Ipri 67FORWARD

9th grade

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04Jordyn CholishJordyn Cholish 96

DEFENSE9th grade

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04Shea BrittainShea Brittain 2DEFENSE

11th grade

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04Karley SkullyKarley Skully 55FORWARD

9th grade

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04Kasey SkullyKasey Skully 7FORWARD

11th grade

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04Madison LewesMadison Lewes 28CENTER

9th grade

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04Bethany DiehlBethany Diehl 14CENTER

11th grade

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Paul ImburgiaAfterward by Photojournalist Paul ImburgiaI , f you couldn’t already tell, growing up I was never the athletic one in the family. I would easily take an afternoon of

Playstation2 and Magic The Gathering over any sort of physical recreation. And here I am studying journalism at Temple University.

Athleticism was always my younger sister’s thing. She’s a living, breathing firecracker, and we couldn’t be more proud of her. The same goes for the young women that play on the West Chester East High School Girls Varsity Team.

With the aggressive nature and frequent injuries that occur in the sport of ice hockey the sport has always been associated with the male gender. I for one will tell you that is absurd because I’ve seen, first-hand, the young Lady Vikings of East High School play harder, faster and more aggressive than some of the men on the East Boys Ice Hockey Team. Talk about dispelling stereotypes.

Especially after East Girls’ 2011-2012 Season, I’m proud to say that I have a younger sister that can kick my butt. She along with many of her teammates can play with a stronger passion than anyone I’ve ever seen. Though their season ended in disappointment, the team’s greatest achievements still shined beautifully, and isn’t that what truly matters? Isn’t that what team athletics is all about? Growing as a player and achieving as a team?

With this book , I hope you can see the very same that I saw, whether you are friends of the players, their families, the players themselves, the coaches and staff or even just a complete stranger. Know that the women of The West Chester East High School Girls Varsity Team gave this season the best that they could give and their fans, family and friends a season that few will regret.

May their great victories always be remembered and may there be many more to come.

-Paul C. Imburgia Photojournalist School of Communications & Theater, Temple University

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photographer’s post

Paul Imburgia

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Thank You!

to all the Team Staff and Rink Officials of the

W.C.E.I.H.C.Thank You!

t

For the Lady Vikings of the WCEIHC, the 2011-2012 season marked their

first time ever making it to

The Flyers Cup.Though they were met with defeat, it

was their hard work and commitment to their team this entire season that

deserved them of this honor.

Congratulations! to The Girls Varsity Team

of the

W.C.E.I.H.C.

Congratulations!

The Flyers Cup.

Documents

Their Words Their Team