The Rockets made history on Oct. 29 at Bellarmine defeating the Mercy Jaguars. The Rockets not only won state, they won the first KHSAA sanctioned game, and were the first team to be back-to-back state champions as a sanctioned sport.
Two nights before, the Rockets took on the Sacred Heart Valkyries to advance to the state finals while the Jaguars defeated the Lady Crimsons of Manual to advance to the state finals. The Rockets defeated the Valkyries 1-0 and the Jaguars beat the Lady Crimsons in flick offs after two overtimes. The stakes were set high for each team. This would be Assumption’s second year in a row returning to state and Mercy’s first year making it to the state finals.
The two teams took the field for the first time as a sanctioned sport by the KHSAA to make history. The game started off with neither team seeming to gain extended periods of procession. Each team’s defense was aggressive trying to prevent offensive play. The score remained scoreless until the Rockets’ Elizabeth Allgeier, sophomore, laid out to score the first goal for the Rockets.
The half continued with solid defense from both teams. With 45 seconds remaining in the half Bailey Higgins, Rockets senior, dribbled the ball down the field to set the Rockets up for a corner. The Rockets attempt at a corner was no good, ending the half Rockets 1 and Jaguars 0.
The second half began with aggressive offense from the Rockets. The Rockets kept the ball on the Jaguars’ half of the field for some good time, but were unable to score due to Mercy’s defense. It wasn’t until 15:39 left in the half Higgins took a shot at the top of the circle that was deflected by Emma Spinetto, Rockets sophomore, to put the Rockets up 2-0.
Mercy continued to fight back with an attempted shot taken by Alex O’Shea, junior, but the shot was no good and the Rockets offense continued to soar. Assumption’s Kennedy Frantz, senior, scored with 8:20 left in the half to put the Rockets up 3-0.
With time winding down, the Jaguars were able to set up for a couple corners, but were unsuccessful against the Rocket defense. With 5:20 left in the game, Assumption’s Erica Cooper, freshman, scored the final goal for the Rockets. The Rockets went on to defeat the Jaguars 4-0.
It was not only the first sanctioned KHSAA state championship win, but a night of absolute success for Rocket hockey. After 24 years together, Debby Judd and Jody Scheafer coached the Rockets to their ninth state championship. This victory not only gave them nine state championships but back-to-back state victories. This back-to-back victory was the first for Rocket Hockey since the ‘02-‘03 school year.
The success continued with individual awards for the Rockets. Catherine Glassford, senior, received the All-Around Excellence Award of the entire state tournament. Rebecca Thienamn senior, and Elizabeth Allgeier, sophomore, were awarded All State Tournament Team.
Hannah Bohn, Sidney Locco, Claire Grueninger, and Bailey Higgins, seniors, were chosen to play in the 2014 All Star game.
Higgins was also awarded All State Tournament Team, Most Valuable Player, and later went on to become the Rockets first Miss Kentucky Field Hockey.
“It’s a huge honor that I’ve dreamed about since I was a freshman. I couldn’t have done it without all the amazing support,” Higgins said.
Higgins has committed to Michigan State University, she will also participate in field hockey for the next four years.
Along with loosing Higgins, the team will also be losing 13 more seniors, including Kylee Mitchell, who assisted the team as a manager.
Article by Katie Monaghan
