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TRADE & CONSUMER SHOW! HOCKEY'S LARGEST November 8-9 INDUSTRY ONLY SHOW 14 & UNDER After falling to Massachusetts rivals the East Coast Wizards prior to Nationals, the Assabet Valley 14 & Under team extracted a measure of revenge with a 2-1 overtime victory on Championship Sunday in Marlborough, Mass. the rink each Sunday, wasn't alone in mentioning educa- tion. Lonergan, the 14U her- oine, says Carl Gray's "five most important things are aca- demics, academics, academics, academics, academics." "My dad's always stressed the academics," says Eric Gray. a path to help open doors and create better education, which ultimately allows you to be successful in life later on. That's the bigger message. Hockey's just a tool to open doors." "And hockey's just include League for a U.S. Olympic Women's Team in the future, but on April 1, 2012, she was just happy just to have helped close Lonergan's long-term goals attending school and playing an goal of winning a National Championship. out the short-term "Our team all jumped on me," says Lonergan after her OT goal. "It was just a great time." With three titles in the books, it was up to the 12Us to complete the sweep, which left Gray having to remind his players there was a game to play instead of a sweep to complete. Ivy Thanks to a pair of third- period goals from Charlotte Welch, who led the division in scoring with 16 points, and Julia Nearis, (six goals, six assists on the weekend), Assabet had another tense, one-goal win and another set of gold medals. "The tide has risen," says Merril Nearis, Julia's dad, who with Gray also coaches the 12Us and 14Us, which include his daughter Abigail. has really proved the caliber of girls hockey has improved incredibly. With Assabet's sweep this year, it's that much more of a tribute." "I think the Nationals scene couldn't stay until that final buzzer of the 12U game, was in the car, texting her Assabet friends at the rink for updates. "At the end of the day," Daniels says, "we're just a big family that supports each other and wants everyone to do their best. It was great to see the younger teams win." So many title games, so little time. N James MacDonald is a freelance writer based out of Sandwich, Mass. USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE/JULY.2012 17 Sydney Daniels, who November 10-11 CONSUMER SHOW • Show will also feature areas for ice skating, hockey ball, and fl oor hockey • Booth space now on sale! • All major hockey companies are expected! Go for Hockey, Go for Prague www.goforhockey.org Email: goforhockey@guarant.cz | T: +420 284 001 422 | F: +420 284 001 448 | C: +420 607 990 671