Cardinal Puck Undeafeated in WCAC

9 | NWSLTR Cardinal Puck undefeated in WCAC Conference Play

By Jack Grzebien

The 2019 Bishop Ireton Football team took the field before their Homecoming game. This was the last time Bishop Ireton went head to head against PVI.

Cardinal Puck, the Ireton hockey team, started off the season with a 9-6-1 record in conference play. This team is competing for the WCAC and state title this year. Many of the players are happy to be back to a more “normal” season when they can play again at Mount Vernon Recreation Center, also known as “the Vern”. Not only are the players excited for this season, but the Cardinal Crazies, Ireton’s student section, is also excited for a winter of cheering on their classmates. The year started off with two consecutive losses to Yorktown and Bishop O’Connell. However, the team recovered from a crushing 5-1 win in their first CSHL league game of the year over Woodbridge. In Ireton’s first WCAC matchup of the season, the Cardinals took on St. Mary’s Ryken and sent them back to Maryland with a crushing 10-2 victory for Ireton. This win marks the start of their campaign for the WCAC title. The Cardinals this year have a new goalie, freshman Johnie Hays. Hays has been an integral part of many wins this season. He has a save percentage of .932. In comparison, Hays has a higher save percentage than the starting goalie of the Washington Capitals, Ilya Samsonov. Many players were nervous about not having a goalie after the former goalie, Will Oakely ‘21, graduated. Hays has been a welcomed addition to the team and a player that the Cardinals will build on in the years to come. Senior Captain Arthur Seng says that “Johnnie has a great mindset and he brings his best to the table every game”. This sentiment is shared throughout many of the players on the team as they appreciate willingness to step up into a big role as a freshman. As the season continues to progress the Cardinals plan to build on what they have learned and accomplished in the early stages of their season. Although their last game before the break was a crushing loss to Bishop Ireton’s rival, West Potomac, they bounced back with a 10-4 WCAC conference win over the St. Paul VI Panthers. In the Cardinal’s most recent game they won 8-3 over Our Lady of Good Counsel. This win solidified their #1 spot in the WCAC Metro League. Although the season is not over yet, many members of the team are already happy with what they have accomplished this year. The seniors continue to look forward to the playoffs while also taking it one game at a time.