Nothing came easy for the North Pittsburgh Girls U19 team this year. Short benches, injuries, and a very competitive division were all obstacles the team faced this season. But in true Wildcats fashion, the team stared each one of these obstacles in the face and overcame them with hard work and dedication to each other.

After solidifying their playoff spot on the last weekend of the season, the girls' reward was facing the top ranked team from Altoona in the first round of the playoffs. Although they had not beaten Altoona and having tied them in their previous two meetings,the Wildcats knew they were ready to take the next step. After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, Altoona came roaring back to tie the game in the third period.  But our girls never panicked and came out on top after an OT winner by Maddy Kessy which was set up by hard work from Sarah Lozito.

In the finals, our Wildcats would face a SHAHA team that they have had some success with over the course of the season. This meeting would be different. Tied at 0-0 through most of the game, SHAHA went on top with a goal and with only1:54 left in the game. After pulling the goalie, our ladies scored with just 52 second remaining on the clock to tie the game. After some good chances in the remaining time in regulation, the game headed to sudden death OT. The game remained tied through the first OT and moved to a 4 on 4 double OT. Although the Wildcats were controlling the game, they couldn't find the back of the net. That is until Izzy Hays banged home the game winner with just 8.9 second left in double OT, giving our girls the win and setting off a wild celebration while bringing home the banner.

Resiliency and determination has been a trademark for this team. Through the ups and downs of the season, the team stuck together and just kept improving and moving forward. Contributions were made up and down the lineup from leading scorer Lauren Mudrany, to our only senior Heidi Plant, to our goaltender Lindsey Scott, to our longtime members Alana Hough, Sammi Pavlecic, Emily Berger, Erika Bender, to our new additions in Abbey Layden, Darby Neil, Amara Marrese, Sarah Pointek, Alex Adams, Abby Shurmatz and Katie Podlaski. This edition of the Wildcats was the true definition of a team!

Congratulations ladies and thanks for all of the hard work. Your parents, the coaches and managers and everyone who watched you play this season could not be more proud of how far you've come!