After making it to the section semi-final last year, the United Hockey Team, a cooperative between St. Paul Academy and Summit School and Visitation Academy girls teams, is well-positioned for another successful season.

“The varsity team will be cut a little bit shorter this year in terms of players compared to the previous years. I think there will be around 18 girls on the team give or take… [but] we have some good talent coming to the program this year so it will make up for the players we lost,” senior captain Alev Baysoy said.

“I feel like we’re already coming together as a team. Everyone is really energetic and excited for the season,” freshman Lauren Boettcher said.

Baysoy looks forward to games against conference rivals. “Games against Blake and Minnehaha are always fun because everyone gets so pumped up for the games and you can really feel the energy,” she said.

While the players come from different schools, they don’t feel any division when they’re together on the ice. “Everyone’s mutual appreciation and passion for hockey unites us all,” Baysoy said.