Kaly Gonski scores four goals

The Trumbull-St. Joseph girls hockey team earned its second victory in 11 games with a 6-5 victory over visiting Daniel Hand of Madison at The Rinks at Shelton on Friday. Kaly Gonski scored four goals, including the tie-breaking tally with just 21 seconds remaining in the game, and added an assist. Molly Chapman and Bailey Brooks also scored goals. Morgan McClain had two assists, and Alexa Brown, Gonski and Chapman also assisted on goals. Trumbull carried a 4-2 lead into the third period, before Daniel Hand netted three in a row to seize a late lead. Brooks tied the game with 4:12 left and McClain set up Gonski with the game winner. Gonski summed up winning a down-to-the-finish game like this in one word —“Exhilarating.” And Champman added, “It feels good because we worked so hard for the win.” Head coach Paula Dady pointed out that the victory was very much welcomed by the girls, who have been battling only to come up short in some close contests leading into this game. “We’ve been in need of a win. We’ve had a tough season,” she said. “This is definitely a win that was really needed for the team’s morale.” Gonski’s hat-trick plus one effort is not out of the ordinary for the standout player. “She can put the puck in the net. She has a lot of hockey talent — she is an excellent hockey player with great hands,’ Dady said. Gonski and Chapman are the only seniors on the small roster. The Trumbull team, although having been in place for several years — Dady is in her sixth season as coach — has a disadvantage to much of the competition. “We do have an extremely short bench,” said Dady, noting that the lineup comprises just a dozen girls, three of whom are new to hockey. “It’s tough but we’re doing the best we can. I believe our record doesn’t reflect how well we’ve been playing.” Goaltender Gina Moriello said the best part about playing is the time spent with teammates on and off the ice. “They’re a lot of fun,” she said.

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