The Ice Hockey Team started the season strong, winning their first game against South Fayette, 4-0. However, the team now sits at 6-5.

“The expectations were high coming off of last season,” senior goalie Cam Junker said. “I am sure that those expectations will be reached by at least the end of the year.” 

In the 2023-2024 season, the boys had a good year, finishing off with a 14-6 record. They started off the PIHL quarterfinal round against Central Catholic. They controlled the lead the whole game, winning 3-1. In the semifinal round, they then took care of Seneca Valley, 4-2. In the PIHL Championship against Pine-Richland, however, they never got out in front, which led to the end of a great season. 

The PIHL Class AAA has a few minor changes this season, with Cathedral Prep, Baldwin, and Canon-McMillan all dropping a class. Moving into AAA are Thomas Jefferson, South Fayette and Franklin Regional. NA confidently handled both South Fayette and Thomas Jefferson in the early stretch of the season.

But one early season match-up loomed larger than the others.

“Pine-Richland was the team that I looked forward to playing again the most. It was not fun to sit there and watch them celebrate last year,” junior forward Ravi Desai said.

The rematch, played on December 2, proved satisfying, with NA winning 3-1. 

Four seniors were named captain this year: forward Gianni Lochiatto, defenseman Travis Lamark, defenseman Brock Murphy, and forward Marc Joyson. Unfortunately, captain Lamark tore his ACL earlier this year, dealing a huge loss for the team, who now sit in the middle of the Class AAA standings.

Even with the PIHL playoffs far away, the squad has not lost its focus.

“I feel this team is good enough to win against any team we face,” Joyson said. “We are ready to finish the regular season strong and play even better in the playoffs.”

The team returns to the ice tonight in an away match against Franklin Regional.