To read the article that appeared in the Detroit free Press just click on the picture. Laura currently has 34 goals in 24 games this season. The last three playoff games she has had 10 goals. Laura currently leads her team in goals and is also a Michigan metro high school scoring leader. Links will be found elsewhere on these pages.
The Ladywood Blazers have advanced to the semifinal round against Grose Pointe South. The game is scheduled for march 11 at 6:00pm.Laura has scored 10 goals in three playoff games so far. It's offical! the season ended Thursday night March 11. Laura scored the first goal but it was called back as officals didn't see the puck hit the back of the net. Mary Beth Odea scored and Laura scored for the Blazers but Grosse Pointe beat them 3-2 What a great game. The blazers lose 9 seniors from the team.
Detroit News staff reports and wire services contributed. Coaches are
requested to call results to The Detroit News sports department at (313)
222-2260.
The Harper Woods Regina Saddelites' ex-press train came to a stunning halt
Dec. 17 thanks to an old nemesis - the Livonia Ladywood Blazers.
Riding a
nine-game winning streak and hopes of an undefeated season into the Blazers'
Arctic Pond Arena in Plymouth Township, Regina suffered the same old fate they
have been handed by Ladywood for the last four seasons - another loss.
This
time it was by a 3-2 score on two last period goals as the Blazers came from
behind against their east side Catholic rivals.
The west side Blazers and
Regina both joined the Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League in the
1998-99 season. Regina won all four contests between the schools in the first
season, but has not won a game since.
Freshman Laura Szwed scored the winner
and senior Mary Beth O'Day had two goals for Ladywood. Senior Molly Zarb had two
assists and Blazers' goalie Danni St. Onge played her best game this season with
24 saves, to shut down a potent Regina offense that had averaged almost seven
goals a game coming into the contest.
League leading scorer Danielle Syrowik
got one of the Regina goals - becoming the first MMGHSHL player with 100 career
goals - and assisted on the other by Rachel Kare. Emily Blair assisted on
Syrowik's tally.
"It was a hard-fought game, a back-and-forth game,"
Ladywood coach Bruce Peck said. "We scored two goals in the third period."
Regina remained in first place in the East Division with a 9-1 record, but
Grosse Pointe South has played four less games (5-1) with its only loss at the
hands of the Saddelites. The Blazers (5-2) solidified their hold of second place
in the West, only a half game behind Cranbrook (5-1), which also lost its first
game of the season to South, 4-3, on Dec. 17.
Ladywood and Regina will face
each other in a return match at 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the St. Clair
Shores Civic Arena.
Ladywood's Mary Beth O'Dea, in an earlier game this season, scored twice in
the 3-2 win over Regina Dec. 17.
Below
Blazers goalie Danni St. Onge made
24 saves in holding the Saddelites' potent offense to two goals.
Spoilers or contenders? That’s the question facing the Ladywood Blazers after another victory and fifth consecutive season-sweep over their east-side Catholic School rival Regina, 4-2, at the St. Clair Shores Civic Center Jan. 10. The Saddelites are having one of their best seasons ever and were 13-1 going into the return match with the Blazers who laid down the only defeat on Regina, Dec. 17, at Ladywood's home game, 3-2. This time on Regina home ice and the Saddelites thirsting to end five-years of frustration against Ladywood, Regina supporters thought this would be their game. Especially since Ladywood (8-3) had uncharacteristically lost games to second-year team Northville and to University Liggett, teams Regina handled easily. "We came out very flat and Ladywood had a huge shot advantage the first period," said Jim Selegean Sr., Regina’s former head coach and now manager to his son, James Selegean Jr. "Regina goalie Bridgette Gibson made several great saves to keep it close." Ladywood took advantage of that flat start, though, and scored twice in the first period. "It was another hard fought game," said Ladywood head coach Bruce Peck. "Our girls came out and played their best game of the season. For some reason, Regina seems to bring out the best in us." Molly Zarb opened up the scoring in the first with assists from Mary Beth O'Dea and Jenna MacDonell. Then with Regina on the power play Jess Blaesser intercepted the puck at the blue line and was going down on a breakaway when she was tripped from behind. She scored on the ensuing penalty shot. Regina freshman Rachel Kare got their first goal to cut the lead to 2-1 before the period ended, beating Blazer goalie Danni St. Onge. Then in the second Danielle Syrowik tied the game on an unassisted tally for her league leading 29th goal. However, with a few minutes left in the second period, Jenna Keenan scored with assists from Blaesser and Brittney Holtz to go up 3-2 at the second period intermission.
"The key for us in the third period was killing off two Regina power plays in the last eight minutes of the game," said Peck. Then with 43 seconds left Blaesser scored an empty net goal to seal the victory.' Selegean said Regina "played very well in the third period, but could not dent St. Onge. Ladywood's girls deserved the win." Ladywood's second leading scorer, Laura Szwed, left the game with about 4:00 remaining with a concussion. The season sweep of Regina again gives the Blazers an unofficial "Catholic League Title," since they already have a win over the other Catholic School rival in the MMGHSHL, Mercy, and only one game left to play with them. "It was an exciting, gritty game from two fierce rivals that showed exactly what girl's high school hockey is all about," said Peck. The two teams could possibly meet again this season in the post-season playoffs. Regina, who defeated first place Grosse Pointe South in the East Division, now is one game behind the Lady Blue Devils in the loss column and one ahead of Grosse Pointe North.
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IN WESTERN WAYNE: Northville sees time to shine in playoffs
Ladywood has shot at girls hockey state title
March 4, 2004
The Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League playoffs are just
around the corner. And the Northville girls ice hockey team wants to be the
spoiler.
The Mustangs finished the regular season sixth in the league with a 10-12 record. However, they were third in the Western division behind Livonia Ladywood (14-8), who reached the semifinals last season. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood finished first in the division.
The single-elimination playoffs for the 12 league's teams begin Saturday. Northville will face Farmington Hills Mercy (2-20) at 7:30 p.m. Semifinals are Thursday and the final is March 13. All games are played at Novi Ice Arena.
"We're starting to peak at the right time and the girls are a lot more comfortable and aggressive in their second season," Northville coach Bill Holden said. "Their intensity level before and during games has increased and their expectations are higher.
Northville is led by junior defenseman Amy Cauzillo with 19 goals and 12 assists, and freshman defenseman Andrea Soloko, who has 13 goals and four assists.
"We've shown a lot of improvement from last season," Holden said. "We never expected to beat Ladywood. But we're starting to show signs that we're one of the upstart teams in the league because we're showing a higher level of play this year."
Northville defeated Ladywood, 5-4, in November.
Ladywood has held its own against defending state champion Grosse Pointe South this season and has a legitimate chance this season to win the state title. The Blazers finished second in the Western division and fifth in the league.
Ladywood lost, 4-1 and 4-3, to South (21-1), the favorite to win the title again, this season. Ladywood will play Bloomfield Hills (0-21) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the first round.
"Our focus all season has been to go out on a winning note for our seniors," Ladywood coach Bruce Peck said. "First, we have to win our first two playoff games to get back to the semifinals, but we feel like we can win in the semifinals this season. The difference with this year's team is that we think we can win it all because we've played Grosse Pointe South tough in both games."
There are nine seniors on the team and center Mary Beth O'Dea, center Molly Zarb and defenseman Joy Troczynski have been on the team for four years. O'Dea leads the team with 29 goals and 18 assists.
Plymouth-Canton-Salem (8-12-2) opens the playoffs against Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Penguins finished in fourth place in the Eastern division and eighth in the league. Sophomore forward Stephanie Murray (21 goals and 10 assists) and junior forward Olivia Pennebaker (19 goals and 12 assists) lead the Penguins.
School: Livonia Ladywood.
Favorite class: Math.
Favorite athlete: Brett Hull.
Future career: Veterinarian.
Role models: Patty and Chris Szwed, parents.
What she did: Had two goals and one assist in a 5-2 win over Walled Lake Unified. Scored four goals in a 6-0 win over Farmington Hills Mercy.
What she thinks: Against Walled Lake, "my teammates and I were working well,
we passed to each other well. I was lucky to get a goal. I scored the first goal
and then I got the last goal. . . . I didn't think I would play a lot, so I'm
very pleased. I think I do well backchecking into the zone when our opponents
are coming in. . . . I've played hockey for seven years; I played with boys for
two years and I've played girls hockey for five. I'm going to Germany in July
with the U. S. 15-under team. I play for the fun and I think hockey's
challenging."
FINAL 2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON
Player school G A Pts.
Danielle
Syrowik Regina 40 38 78
Tarasai Karega Cranbrook 55 22 77
Ariel Magidson
Cranbrook 30 32 62
Stacey Campbell GP South 34 24 58
Kyri Meyers Port
Huron 34 17 51
Mary Beth O'Dea Ladywood 29 18 47
Sabrina Must Cranbrook 20
25 45
Rachel Kare Regina 22 22 44
Megan McCaughey GP South 20 24
44
Sarah Parker GP South 15 29 44
Amanda Marsh GP South 15 26 41
Jamie
Harbsion Regina 17 23 40
Hillary Inger GP South 26 13 39
Laura Szwed
Ladywood 23 16 39
Chelsea Skorupski GP North 25 11 36
Julia Kazmers
Cranbrook 13 22 35
Ashley Hinton Port Huron 11 24 35
Emily Nelson GP North
15 19 34
Emily Blair Regina 15 19 34
Angela Lee recorded her fourth win of the season in net turning back 17 of
Ladywood"s 19 shots. Leading the way offensively for North were sophomore
Christy Sandmair who scored twice and freshman Emily Nelson who also scored
twice. Assisting on the goals were Melissa Carron, Maria Feldpausch and Megan
Irving.
North scored one in the first, two in the second and took a 4-0 lead
in the final stanza. Ladywood, who dropped to 1-2, closed the gap with goals
from Laura Szwed and Mary Beth O"Dea. But Lee held off the Blazers in the last
four minutes when they applied heavy offensive pressure.
"We have strong
group of young players and that has helped us tremendously after the loss of
nine seniors from last year"s team," said G.P. North coach Tim VanEckoute.
"We"re able to run three lines regularly and that helps keep fresh legs on ice.
We also have set a goal for every game to keep our opponents shots total to 20
or less. So far this season each time we"ve accomplished that we"ve
won."
Additional offensive leaders in the first six games have been Chelsea
Skorupski and Kelley Peers.
Defensively, North has had strong play from
Irving, Feldpausch, Liz Rabadoux and Stephanie Harlan.
GIRLS HOCKEY: Ladywood takes steps to become hockey power Coach Peck sees increased popularity for girls' sport January 2, 2004 BY ERIC HABERMAS FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER It's not much of a surprise that Mary Beth O'Dea turned out to be a standout hockey player at Livonia Ladywood. "I've been playing since I could walk pretty much," O'Dea said. Older sister Katie starred at Ladywood and was named Miss Hockey by the Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League in 2000, and older brothers Pat and Ryan were both part of state championship teams at nearby Redford Catholic Central, which has won an unprecedented five consecutive state titles. O'Dea, a senior co-captain for Ladywood, is trying to help her school win a state championship of its own. She leads the team with 18 goals and 27 points in eight games. Ladywood, which competes in the Michigan Metro league, is off to a 6-2 start. The Blazers practice and play home games at the Arctic Pond in Plymouth Township. The team is run by second-year coach Bruce Peck, a 1987 Warren De La Salle graduate who is a teacher at Catholic Central. "They needed help last year because the guy who started the team travels a lot," Peck said. "So they needed someone who could be here every day and take control of the team. So I interviewed for the job and I got it." Peck is not only concerned with the well-being of Ladywood hockey, but with girls high school hockey in general. Like in boys hockey, many of the top high school players opt to play travel hockey rather than represent their respective schools. However, Peck sees signs of a new trend. "It's starting to change now," he said. "We're starting to get the girls that have played travel their whole lives. Once they get to high school, they're starting to play for their high school teams. More high schools have it now." And, Peck said the increase in teams and influx of travel players will make girls hockey better. "We want girls hockey to grow," he said. "We really want the girls to have opportunities when they get out of high school to play hockey in college." Right now, most girls can play only club hockey in college since so few schools have women's varsity teams, Peck said. Although Wayne State has a Division I women's hockey team, Michigan and Michigan State do not. Most of the women's programs are on the East Coast or in the West. "Most of the opportunities for the girls coming out of high school right now are club teams," Peck said. "The very elite will get a chance to play at the college level. But most of them are going to play club hockey and stay in it that way." Senior co-captain Molly Zarb (six goals, 12 points) plans to attend Lake Superior State, which does not have a women's varsity program but does have a club team. Zarb, a Redford native who also plays lacrosse at Ladywood, has not decided whether or not she'll play hockey in college. "It's very competitive and something that definitely keeps them at the top level of their game," Peck said of club hockey. In the meantime, Zarb is concerned about making the most of her senior season. "We did kind of have a slow start," Zarb said. "But we've been picking it up and working hard in practice." The Blazers got a momentum-building victory Dec. 17 when they beat previously undefeated Harper Woods Regina, 3-2, at the Arctic Pond. Freshman Laura Szwed (10 goals, 18 points) scored the winning goal with just more than two minutes left for Ladywood, which trailed by a goal entering the third period. "Our practices are a lot better now, and it's showing in the games," said O'Dea, who scored the Blazers' other two goals in the victory. Ladywood returns to the ice Wednesday against Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett at the Arctic Pond. Peck and his players are confident that if they play to their capabilities, Ladywood will have a shot at a state title. "We know we're one of the better teams in the league," Peck said. "So if we come out and play the way we know how to -- and the way we can -- we expect to compete for it." "We have pretty high expectations," Zarb added. But Peck doesn't feel pressure to win state titles from teaching at Catholic Central. "We don't really look at it that way. We just want to do the best we can and have fun while we're doing it," he said. A LOOK AT LADYWOOD Coach: Bruce Peck, second year. League: Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League. Record: 6-2. Team captains: Senior center Mary Beth O'Dea (18 goals and nine assists for 27 points) and senior center Molly Zarb (six goals and six assists for 12 points). O'Dea was a second-team all-state and all-league selection last season and Zarb was honorable mention all-state. Next game: Wednesday vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett at Arctic Pond, 6 p.m.